kaha, kaha kuahiwi or Bird's nest fernAspleniaceae (Spleenwort family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (all islands except Niihau & Kooholawe)Oahu (Cultivated; Oahu origin)Newly planted young kaha, about 12 inches from tip to tip, is provided space to grow to full potential on a 2+ foot hapuu (tree fern) stump in my fern garden. These magnificent ferns naturally grow as terrestrial, lithophytes or epiphytes.The potting media used in the hapuu log is comprised of equal parts coconut chunks, perlite, sphagnum and hapuu fiber. The hapuu log is then placed on a one-inch pipe sticking out about 10 inched from a heavy hollow tile filled with concrete. This will create the weight needed to keep the hapuu log from toppling over from wind or weight of the kaha as it grows larger. The whole structure is about 3 feet off the ground and should allow room for the kaha to grow out to its full potential. Additional heavy rocks are placed around the base for more stability. kupukupu or niaaniau (Nephrolepis exaltata subsp. hawaiiensis), Hawaii's native Boston Fern', is seen here growing in the area.Mature kaha
www.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/12073042346/in/photolist...Hawaiian Namekaha kuahiwi means "mountain kaha."The dark midribs of kaha fronds were woven by early Hawaiians into lau hala mats and other objects of lau hala to provide pattern and color contrast.The ferns were ceremonially planted to cover residual stumps after a tree had been felled for canoe (waa) making.Newly planted kaha growing as a terrestrial
www.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/46695776345/in/photolist...Medicinally, a liquid made from kaha leaf shoots and mixed with other plants was used to treat children and infants with ea or thrush and paoao, a disease which physically weakens. Shoots with other plants were pounded and liquid squeezed into mouths of children with mouth sores or general weakness. An ointment was also made from the leaves and mixed with other ingredients and liquid was used for ulcers or body sores (ph kolokolo kokoole). EtymologyThe genus name Asplenium is from the Latin asplenum, spleenwort. Ancient Greeks believed that this fern could cure spleen diseases.The Latin specific epithet nidus, nest, in reference to the nest-like appearance of this fern. Interestingly, besides being terrestrial, as shown in the above photo, this fern is found as an epiphyte, perhaps giving the impression of a bird's nest among the branches.
nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Asplenium_nidus