Horticultural Notes

3-6’ x 3-4’ (old plants 15’+ x 8-10’)          Aalii is a woody shrub or small tree that grows in many habitats from near the coast to high in the mountains. There are male and female plants and the female is noted for its attractive often-reddish winged seeds. The leaves are mid to dark green and lanceolate.

This was an important plant for the early Hawaiians as it has many uses. The hard wood was used for tools, in canoes and for house construction. A red dye was made from the seeds. The attractive seeds were prized for lei and the leaves had numerous medicinal properties (note they can be toxic).[1]

[1] http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Dodonaea_viscosa