Linahina

Description:

Artemisia mauiensis (left); Artemisia australis (right). Both leaves at this stage are crumbly. A. mauiensis will get darker over time.Hinahina or hinahina means gray, grayish or even whitish (haakea, hkea) in Hawaiian. They are the native Hawaiian names for the three endemic species in the genus Artemisia. Not shown is A. kauaiensis.The hinahina leaves (linahina) are fragrant with a somewhat milder scent of sage (Artemisia spp.) especially when crushed or rubbed between the hands.Habit in potswww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/42268042872/in/photolist...Early Hawaiians used hinahina to preserve feather cloaks from insect destruction when stored in calabashes. Medicinally, the leaves were pounded for asthma.EtymologyThe genus name Artemisia is derived from Artemis, Greek goddess of the hunt, wife of King Mausolus.The Latin specific epithet australis, southern, is in reference to the southern island continent originally known as Terra Australis, and now Australia.The specific epithet mauiensis is in reference to the island of Maui, where this species is endemic.