Uhiuhi


The native Hawaiian dry forest provided an abundance of useful materials in traditional Hawaiian society. It supported more plant and animal species than the Hawaiian rain forest, and like the rain forest, was a source of beauty and inspiration. One of the most valuable dry forest plants was Uhiuhi, a tree in the legume family (Fabaceae). It is often found with other culturally significant plants, such as kauila (Colubrina oppositifolia), wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis), and hala pepe (Pleomele hawaiiensis). The uhiuhi grows up to 36 feet tall and has attractive pink seedpods and pink to red flowers. The sapwood is light-colored while the heartwood is dark and so dense it sinks in water.