Plant Profile
Ipomoea indica
Koali lāʻau, Koali pehu, Koali ʻawa, Koali ʻawahia
Main Plant Information
Genus
Ipomoea
Species
indica
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Koali lāʻau
- Koali pehu
- Koali ʻawa
- Koali ʻawahia
Hawaiian Names
- Koali awa
- Koali awahia
- Koali laau
- Koali pehu
Common Names
- Bitter morning glory
- Blue dawn flower
- Blue morning glory
- Oceanblue morning glory
Synonyms
- Convolvulus indicus
- Ipomoea acuminata
- Ipomoea congesta
- Ipomoea insularis
- Pharbitis insularis
Plant Characteristics
Plant Form / Growth Habit
No data available.
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
No data available.
Life Span
No data available.
Landscape Uses
No data available.
Plant Produces Flowers
No data available.
Flower Characteristics
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
No data available.
Pests and Diseases
Growth Requirements
Water Requirements
No data available.
Light Conditions
No data available.
Environmental Information
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
No data available.
Special Features and Information
Etymology
The generic name Ipomoea is derived from the Greek ips , worm, and homoios , similar to, meaning worm-like, in reference to the twining habit.
Hawaiian Names:
Koali lāʻau is a Niʻihau name for this plant.
Early Hawaiian Use
Early Hawaiians pounded the stems and roots and applied externally to wounds, aches, bruises and broken bones. Koali ʻawa, like its relatives, are poisonous and should never to be taken internally. [1,2,3]
Modern Use
Koali ʻawa is stilled used in Hawaiian folk medicine as it was in the early days. [2,3]
Additional References
[1] “In Gardens of Hawaii” by Marie C. Neal, page 708.
[2] “Hawai’i’s Plants and Animals–Biological Sketches of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park” by Charles P. Stone & Linda W. Pratt, pages 66, 67.
[3] “Lāʻau Hawaiʻi: Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants” by Isabella Aiona Abbott, page 100.
