Ppala or Koolau Range ppalaAmaranthaceae (Amaranth or pigweed family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (south Koolau Mts., Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii Island)Photo: Kpukapuala, Hawaii IslandInflorescence
www.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5516143101/in/datetaken-...Though this particular species of ppala is not found naturally on Kauai, the Hawaiian name "ppala" did originate from a practice there.The wood of ppala is very light when dried and will burn like paper. Formerly on the north coast of Kauai, Hawaiians most often used the flammable wood as firebrand. During times when the strong winds swept out to the sea, they would throw burning pieces from cliffs which floated along on the winds. When the fire would reach the center of the wood sparks shot out like fiery rockets in what must have been an impressive display. This sport was called ahi.EtymologyThe generic name Charpentiera was given by French botanist Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupr (1789-1854) and named in memory of a 19th-century naval pharmacist and professor named Charpentier.The specific epithet is Latin, ovata, egg-shaped in reference to the leaf shape.
nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Charpentiera_ovata_ovata
