Map Endemic achyranthes* ‘äma‘u älula* ‘äwikiwiki bonamia* Clay's Hibiscus* cyperus cyperus sedge eugenia häpu‘u kauila* ko‘oloa‘ula* koa kulu‘ï kupukupu lama loulu palm ma‘o mämaki nänü* ‘ohai (shrub) * ‘ohai (tree) * ‘öhia lehua white hibiscus   Indigenous alahe‘e hinahina ‘ilie‘e ‘ilima kou laua‘e fern naio palapalai pili grass pöhinahina ‘uki‘uki ‘ülei variegated hau   Polynesian Introduced coconut kalo kukui red ginger red ti leaf ti leaf sugar cane ulu   Introduced cotton cup of gold eucalyptus heliconia hibiscus manila palm monstera octopus tree pink tecoma plumbago plumeria tangerine wiliwili     *endangered species

Common Name Hay Scented Ferns Hawaiian Names Palapalai, Palai, Palai'ula Scientific Name Microlepia strigosa Pictures Kalama Whole Plant Stems  Leaves Location on Campus: The Palapalai fern is located in the Kalama garden. It is in the bottom left corner of the garden while facing towards the road. Natural Habitat  Palapalai is known as a terrestrial fern growing in moist, shady places, from 230m (750 ft.)to 1800m (6000 ft.) in elevation. Cultural Information  The Palapalai fern is an indigenous plant. In Hawaiian, Palai means to "turns one face away in bashfulness or humility." Palapalai is important in hula. It is used to adorn hula altars. Hula dancers value its weavng into adornments. Palapalai is also one of the plants sacred to Laka, goddess of hula and of the forest. Plant Description Roots:  Fibrous roots Stem:   Covered with tiny white hairs most near the root Leaves:  Fronds somewhat triangular Life Cycle/ Reproduction: Ferns reproduce by an altar of generations Fern is the sporophyte (produces asexual spores) Propagation/ Cultivation:  Will grow in a pot, but it'll be happier in the ground If pot of Palapalai seems desnsely packed with fronds and roots, use a slender sharp knife to slice through the root ball dividing it into halves and thirds Replant parts to start Palai garden Web Site Links How To plant a Native Hawaiian Garden In this website you will find landscape use, propagation, care and maintenance, and horticultural/landscape and many other facts about palapalai. Encyclopedia.com In this website you will find the common species, ancient ferns, uses, reproduction and more information. References Alacritude llc. "Fern." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 2002 ed. Palapalai. Ray Tabata, web site design and production. 29 September 1998. Honolulu, Hi. 29 September 1998 http://www.state.hi.us/health/oeqc/garden/index.html Valier, Kathy. Ferns of Hawaii. Honolulu: Univesity of Hawaii Press, 1995. Return to Top

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