Canavalia napaliensis

Description:

wikiwiki or Mkaha Valley jackbeanFabaceae (Legume of Pea family)Endemic to the Hawaiian IslandsIUCN: Critically Endangered (Mkaha to Waiahuakua valleys, Kauai)Oahu (Cultivated)This photo was taken on Dec. 21, 2005. Photos of this very rare species are few.Closeup of flowerswww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/6259061207/in/photolist-...The Hawaiian name wikiwiki comes from wikiwiki meaning fast or speedy, referring to its rapid growth rate.Flowers used for lei making. Early Hawaiians made roughly constructed fish nets and traps from stems and scoop nets probably made from wikiwiki vines for small rock paoo (blennies) and opae (freshwater shrimps).Another wikiwiki (Canavalia galeata) was specifically mentioned for medicinal purposes. An infusion of leaves, shoots and bark mixed with other plants as a bath for itch, ringworm and skin disorders.EtymologyThe generic name Canavalia comes from the Indian kanavali, a common name for Canavalia maritima.The specific epithet napaliensis is from the location of this species along the N Pali Coast.nativeplants.hawaii.edu