Osteomeles anthyllidifolia
Rosaceae or Rose family
Synonyms: Pyrus anthyllidifolia
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ʻŪlei
Eluehe (Molokaʻi), Uʻulei
Hawaiian hawthorn, Hawaiian rose
Natural Range & Environment
Indigenous on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island on coastal cliffs, open lava fields, dry shrub land and in dry to mesic forests from near sea level 2-2,320 m (6.5-7,610 ft). It also occurs in the Cook Islands, Tonga, Rarotonga, and Rapa Iti in the Austral Islands [Wagner et al. 1990]. A single plant remains on Pitcairn Island [Kingston & Waldren. 2005].
ʻŪlei can grow from a prostrate ground cover to an upright shrub-like tree producing fragrant flowers of rose and mountain apple (Syzygium malaccense). The small fruits are bland to semi-sweet in taste.
Description
ʻŪlei are many-branched shrubs with gray woody stems up to 3 m (ca. 10 ft) tall. It is sometimes found as a prostrate shrub. Leaves are from less than an inch to nearly 7.5 cm (3 in) with glossy upper surfaces along a compound leaf arrangement that is 23-50 cm (9-20 in) long.
The small white flowers are slightly fragrant, reminiscent of a rose with a hint of mountain apple (ʻōhiʻa ʻai). The edible, roundish, sweet fruits are white with white or purple interiors with hard, yellowish seeds.
Growth Requirements
General
ʻŪlei does good in containers but truly flourishes when planted in the ground, allowing it to reach its full potential. This xeric shrub is highly drought-tolerant and requires minimal attention once established in the soil. It is versatile, serving as effective erosion control on steep banks, a beautiful climber for fences or trellises, a well-manicured hedge, or a natural tall ground cover. ʻŪlei is not particular about the type of soil it grows in, as long as it is well-draining.
When pruning ʻūlei, it is important to avoid removing too many woody parts. This plant thrives in full sun with good air circulation and is resilient to heat, wind, and salt spray. While it is not a heavy feeder, a balanced fertilizer can be beneficial, especially for newly planted shrubs in a landscape setting.
Overwatering can lead to excessive growth with minimal flowers and fruits, so it is important to reduce water to encourage flowering and fruiting. The mildly fragrant flowers and edible fruits of ʻūlei range from bland to semi-sweet in taste.
Pests and Diseases
ʻŪlei is prone to ants, scale, mealy bugs and aphids. Refer to the Pests & Diseases page for treatments.
Uses
Ancient Hawaiian
In ancient Hawaii, the versatile ʻūlei served a variety of purposes. The hard reddish-brown wood was skillfully crafted into digging sticks (ʻōʻō), long spears for octopus hunting, kapa beaters, musical instruments known as ʻūkēkē boards, back scratchers, and carrying poles (ʻauamo) for transporting water and food [Krauss 1993]. The strong and flexible branches of ʻūlei were ingeniously looped to create round fish traps and baskets [Stone & Pratt 1994].
ʻŪlei wood was expertly fashioned into spears for traditional Hawaiian games, such as using longer sticks for spear throwing (ʻōʻō ihe) and spear fencing (kākā lāʻau), and short sticks for small javelins called ihe paheʻe (or simply paheʻe) [Krauss 1993].
The small, sweet fruits of ʻūlei were enjoyed as a delectable treat [Krauss 1993]. The white fruit ofʻūlei was used to create a lavender to purple dye for kapa (tapa) [Krauss 1993]. Additionally, short tapered sticks were utilized in the game of ihe paheʻe (or simply paheʻe). The beautiful flowers and fruit ofʻūlei were commonly used in the art of lei making [McDonald & Weissich 2003].
D.M. Kaʻaiakamanu claims that, medicinally, ancient Hawaiians utilized the seeds and buds of ʻūlei as a natural laxative for infants, as well as a concoction made from pounding together the leaves, root bark, and salt was applied to deep cuts for healing purposes [Ka‘aiakamanu & Akina 1922].
Modern
Even in modern times, the flowers and fruits of ʻūlei continue to be utilized in lei making [McDonald & Weissich 2003], and the semi-sweet to bland fruits are still enjoyed as a tasty snack, with a flavor and aroma reminiscent of rose petals.
Special Features and Information
General
Osteomeles anthyllidifolia is a member of the vast Rose family (Rosaceae), which includes nearly 3,000 species. Among these species is the indigenous ʻūlei and three endemic relatives. The Hawaiian strawberry or ʻōhelo papa (Fragaria chiloensis subsp. sandwicensis), two species of Hawaiian raspberries known as ʻākala (Rubus hawaiensis & R. macraei), and liliwai (Acaena exigua), an extremely rare species known only from two high altitude bogs on Kauaʻi and West Maui [Wagner et al. 1990].
An interesting fact about ʻūlei is that they are among the few native Hawaiian plants that can survive fires and regrow from their stem bases. This resilience adds to the unique characteristics of these plants in the Hawaiian ecosystem.
Hawaiian Name
ʻŪlei is the generally accepted and the most commonly used name for this species. But ʻūlei is also the name for the digging stick made of ʻūlei wood. Eluehe is a Molokaʻi name for this plant [Hawaiian Dictionaries].
Etymology
The generic name Osteomeles comes from the Greek osteon, bone, and melon, apple, in reference to the pome-type fruit with its hard endocarps (seed shell) [Gledhill 2008]. The specific epithet anthyllidifolia literally means "with Anthyllis-like leaves." Anthyllis is a genus of plants in the Fabaceae or Pea family [Gledhill 2008].
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