kia or Hillside false heloThymelaeaceae (Daphne family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Oahu, Molokai, Maui)Oahu Island (Cultivated)Common in cultivation; rare in the wildThere are 12 species of Wikstroemia endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.Flowers
www.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/23651110551/in/photostream/Habit (Landscape)
www.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5187961977/in/photolist-...Fruits can be used in modern lei making.kia bark was used as a source of fiber material for ropes. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii, B. Peterson (1990) states that Species of Wikestroemia have furnished one of the strongest Hawaiian fibers, used in making ropes and braids. It is also said to have been used in making kapa. Measurements made from fibers of branches desiccated for 6 months demonstrated that the density of Wikestroemia fibers was about the same as that of New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) and ramie (Boehmeria nivea)."The wood, likely from larger species, was used as auamo (carrying sticks) and also used as a type of ceremonial firewood in anaana magic (Kamakau 1991).Medicinally, the sap of kia (Wikestroemia spp.) mixed with niu (coconut) and k kea (white sugarcane) was taken internally with uala (sweet potato) as a purgative. The leaves and leaf buds were mixed with the bark of hia ai (Syzygium malaccense) and uhaloa root (Waltheria indica), niu, k aina kea (a sugarcane variety). Plant material was pounded, water added, strained, and the liquid taken internally for waipua paa (leukorrhea) and nae klou (shortness of breath?).Roots, bark, leaves and stems were used as a poison to stupefy fish called hola which were then gathered by the early Hawaiians. The plant parts were crushed, placed in a porous container, and sunk in salt water pools. The fish were safe to eat because kia is not known to be poisonous to warm-blooded creatures by means of this fishing method. So is kia Poisonous or Not?Alkaloids can be extracted from various parts of the plants, and kia has an old reputation for being poisonous. Reputable sources mention that kia was used in old Hawaii as a death penalty for those who broke kapu. The guilty party was forced to drink the juice of kia, causing seizure and death. Botanist Otto Degener (1945) mentions that criminals were executed by means of a deadly drink prepared from roots and bark of kia together with parts of other plants. However, another reputable reference says that 'no parts of kia are poisonous to mammals,' likely including humans. However, it is possible that not all species of Wikestroemia are poisonous, judging by experiments where kia has been shown to be nontoxic. Handy and Handy (1972:239) distinguished two types of kia: a bitter kia (kia awa) and a mild kia (kia manalo). The bitter kia is described as a shrub that bears orange-red fruits, a description that matches that of most Hawaiian Wikestroemia species. Of this type they write that decoctions of the bark and roots are deadly poisonous and were used for killing and suicide. The other mild type of kia, of which no description is given, is described as not being poisonous but rather whose bark and leaves were used as a narcotic.Either way, it is probably best to side with caution and avoid ingesting any parts of kia until sound information is available.EtymologyThe generic name is for Johan Emanuel Wikstrm (1789-1856), a Swedish botanist and author of several papers on Thymelaeaceae.The specific and varietal name uva-ursi is from the Latin uva, grape or berry, and ursi, bear, literally "bear's grape" or bearberry.NPH 00002
nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Wikstroemia_uva-ursi