Elaeocarpus bifidus

Elaeocarpus bifidus, known in Hawaiian as kalia,^[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Elaeocarpaceae that is endemic to the islands of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi^[3]

Elaeocarpus bifidus
Kalia on Kalauao trail, Oʻahu
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Oxalidales
Family:	Elaeocarpaceae
Genus:	Elaeocarpus
Species:	E. bifidus
Binomial name
Elaeocarpus bifidus Hook. & Arn., 1832.[1]

The kalia is a medium-sized evergreen tree, and has fruits that resemble olives. Formerly the bark was used to make rope, and the branches were used in the construction of thatched roofs.^[3]

Description

The texture of the leaves is similar to paper, and they are alternate. They are elongated at about 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) long.^[4] The bottom of the leaf is covered in fine hairs. Blades are ovate to lancelote. They are 7.5–15 cm (3.0–5.9 in) long and 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) wide. It has wavy-toothed edges. The tree bears bell-shaped flower clusters that are 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) long and have a pale, greenish-yellow shade.^[5]

Habitat and distribution

Elaeocarpus bifidus is commonly found in wet forests at altitudes from 90 to 1,220 m (300 to 4,000 ft).^[5] It is native to the islands of Kaua’i and O’ahu.^[4][6]

Human use

This species can be used to make rope with the fiber from the bark. Slender branches can be useful for thatching roofs, and rafters can be constructed from larger branches.^[7] In ancient Hawaiian usage, black and blue dye was made from this species.^[6]