BNSullivan.jpg "‘Ilima (Sida fallax) - A Hawaiian Wildflower")
‘Ilima (Sida fallax)
Location: Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii
‘Ilima (Sida fallax) is a wildflower common in coastal areas of Hawaii. The plant has developed into several different forms. This particular one grows as a low shrub. Another version, called ‘Ilima papa, grows close to the ground.
It is a wildflower, but many people cultivate it in their gardens. 'Ilima papa, the version that grows close to the ground, is sometimes planted as a ground cover. We have several 'Ilima shrubs on our property. They were sown there by the wind, but since we like the plant with its pretty yellow-orange flowers and pale green foliage, we water the ones we find so that they will flourish where nature planted them.
The flowers of the 'Ilima are used for a very special kind of lei. If you would like to see what an 'Ilima lei looks like, here is a link to a website that has a photo. [Note: Link goes to a shopping site. I have no connection with that site; just linking to it because of the photo.]
I understand that the 'Ilima has some medicinal uses in the traditional Hawaiian culture. The local honeybees like the 'Ilima flowers, too.
6 comments:
What a beautiful flower. Nothing like the wildflowers found here in the Rocky mountains!
An interesting post ... thoroughly enjoyed this!
~Michele~
It's a sweet little thing, isn't it? My youngest brother, "Chez Bro", is a landscaper and he says that a weed is anything growing anywhere that you didn't plant it and don't want it. Many times, wildflowers qualify and get pulled out, sprayed or otherwise decimated. There has recently been a movement on Long Island (in NY where I used to live) to plant wildflowers on purpose - spread seeds on the roadside and watch what happens. It's fun to be driving along a suburban or country road and suddenly come upon a patch of color.
Tink *~*~*
My Mobile Adventures *~*~*
@ Michele - Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
@ Tink - What your brother says is so true. One person's wildflower is another person's weed! I like that idea of intentionally planting wildflowers, especially along roadsides.
Bobbie
What an interesting and pretty little flower. I'm trying to remember if I saw a lei like that when I was in Hawaii. I don't think so but it wasn't as if we were out there looking for different kinds. Your photos always make me want to go back to Hawaii. :-)
Great capture...
Pretty flower and one we don't have here if it doesn't like snow...LOL..
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