Lipochaeta connata subsp. acris

Description :

Nehe or Sharp-toothed lipochaetaAsteraceae (Sunflower family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Niihau & Kauai)Cultivated (Oahu)EtymologyThe generic name Lipochaeta is derived from the Greek lipo, fat, and chaeta, bristles or hairs.The specific epithet connata is from the Latin connatus, fused or united (connate) in reference to the fused bases of the leaves.The Latin subspecific name acris means sharp or acrid in reference to sharp-toothed edges of this subspecies.One older source (Charles Gaudichaud,1819) states that Hawaiians "used all fragrant plants, all flowers and even colored fruits" for lei making. The red or yellow were indicative of divine and cheifly rank; the purple flowers and fruit, or with fragrance, were associated with divinety. Because of their long-standing place in oral tradition, the flowers of nehe were likely used for lei making by early Hawaiians, even though there are no written sources.NPH00001nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Lipochaeta_connata_acris