Part 2

The young fronds of certain ferns, especially tree ferns, are covered with a bronze-colored silky floss called “pulu.” Used by the ancient Hawaiians as an absorbent, for surgical dressings, and even in embalming their dead, pulu became an item of export importance to the mainland from the 1860’s to 1884. During this period some 4,271,119 pounds were shipped, according to Degener (2). It was used primarily for stuffing mattresses, pillows, and upholstery. Carl P. Russell in his One-Hundred Years in Yosemite (1947, p. 102) quotes Caroline M. Churchill, a visitor to Leidig’s, a Yosemite hostelry established in 1869: “At this place the beds are cleanly and wholesome, although consisting of pulu mattresses placed upon slat bedsteads.”

The remains of the old pulu factory may be seen today in Kilauea section about 1.8 miles below Makaopuhi Crater on the trail to Napau Crater. Here the pulu was dried and baled before being taken seaward over the pali to Keauhou Landing for loading onto mainland-bound vessels.

Although a high percentage of pulu was gathered from Kilauea ferns, the industry fortunately terminated about 1885, and no more ferns were cut for the small amount of pulu obtained from each. The hike to the pulu factory is not strenuous, and is one of the most interesting in Hawaii National Park.

AMAUMAU AND AMAU

The most abundant ferns growing beneath the larger tree ferns are AMAUMAU (40) and the AMAU (41). Found frequently in both the Kilauea and Haleakala sections of the Park, the amaumau is usually larger than the less common amau and the fronds are not as hairy. The easiest method of identification, however, is by comparing the undersides of the frond segments (see illustration). The amaumau is smooth while the amau is prominently veined. Usually smaller than the true tree ferns, and known only from the Hawaiian Islands, ferns of this genus may reach heights as great as 12 feet. A comparison of the photographs of these ferns with the tree ferns will show that the entire frond of the AMAU or AMAUMAU resembles a single segment of the many-branched frond of the tree fern.

The AMAUMAU fern has a high resistance to heat and drought, and may often be seen growing on the Kau Desert near Kilauea crater. It is one of the first plants to take root on new lava flows, in company with the ohia tree. The illustration below shows a specimen growing on the 1877 lava which forms the floor of Keanakokoi crater.

Fowler (4, p. 16) states that the Hawaiians prepared a red dye used on KAPA cloth from the outer part of the trunk of the amaumau. Leaves of the amau provided a lining and thatching for houses, and the young leaves and pith of the stems were occasionally cooked for food.

1. Kihi. M, (54) (pages 36 and 38) 2. Pai. M, (55) (pages 36 and 38) 3. Ekaha akolea. M, (51) (pages 36 and 38) 4. Grammitis hookeri. M, (52) (pages 36 and 38) 5. Amphoradenium sarmentosum. M, (56) (pages 36 and 38) 6. Wahini noho mauna. M, (57) (pages 36 and 38) 7. Palailaulii. M, (5) (pages 32 and 37) 8. Palaihinahina. M, (6) (pages 32 and 37) 9. Ohiaku. M, (7) (pages 32 and 37) 10. Kilau. M, (8) (pages 32 and 37)

(1-3) ADDER’S TONGUE

Sharp-eyed observers may find in cracks near Halemaumau and along the Chain of Craters Road the adder’s tongue, a small, delicate plant with a “head” which resembles a pointed tongue. Fowler (4) found the LAUKAHI growing on trees near Keanakakoi and Makaopuhi craters. Hawaiians are said to have prepared a cough remedy from the LAUKAHI. Near the 6,000 foot level on the slopes of Haleakala may be found a species of Ophioglossum according to Hillebrand (5).

(4) ULUHE OR FALSE STAGHORN

An attractive native fern which often becomes a pest by choking out other plants is the ULUHE, common in openings throughout the eastern half of the park. This fern often forms thickets so dense as to be virtually impenetrable. Seeds of native plants which germinate beneath these thickets may not be able to penetrate to sunlight. A fire hazard is also presented by the dried fronds. An infusion was prepared from the ULUHE, which the Hawaiians drank as an emetic, according to Fowler (4, p. 10). Hillebrand (5, p. 545) states that this fern is “common on all islands from 600 feet above the sea (Hilo district) to 3,000 feet.... The species occurs in most tropical countries of both hemispheres and in many islands of the Pacific.”

(5-8) THE FILMY FERNS

Sharp eyes will be needed to detect the filmy ferns, since they normally are found on tree trunks and rocks in the jungles, and may easily be confused with the mosses with which they commonly grow. Compare the size of the dainty PALAILAULII, which is about one inch long, with the tree ferns, which often reach a height of 40 feet.

(13) PALAPALAI

An attractive fern with lace-like fronds, the PALAPALAI prefers the outskirts of woods and open places. It is abundant in Kipuka Puaulu in the Kilauea Section. The PALAPALAI is common in moderately wet areas and, according to Hillebrand (5, p. 625) is found on all inhabited Hawaiian Islands, as well as in India, Ceylon, Malaysia, Japan and Formosa.

(14) PALAA

The PALAA was called the most common of all Hawaiian ferns by Hillebrand (5, p. 627). In addition to Hawaii, he states that it is spread over all tropical Polynesia and Asia, extending as far east as Madagascar and north to Japan. Thriving in dry areas as well as moist, the PALAA is common near Hilina Pali and in the vicinity of steam cracks around Kilauea. It is one of the most abundant ferns along the Steaming Bluffs. A red dye was extracted from the leaves by the old Hawaiians.

(15) KILAU OR BRACKEN

One of the most common ferns in dry areas in the Park is the KILAU, or bracken fern. It often may be seen growing among tall grass, and is abundant in the vicinity of Kipuka Puaulu and Kipuka Nene. It extends to about the 9,000-foot level on the slopes of Mauna Loa.

(16) OWALII OR CRETAN BRAKE

Fairly common in the Kilauea Section, this fern may be found in Kipuka Puaulu, along the Sandalwood Trail, and in the vicinity of the Thurston Lava Tube. Note the dark rows of spores along the outer edges of the leaves.

(17) WAIMAKANUI

Although not listed as a common fern, the WAIMAKANUI may be seen in open areas in Kipuka Puaulu, as may the other ferns on the same page. It is the same genus as the OWALII, described above.

(19) LOULU

This attractive fern is common near the entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube. Found in moist localities at 3,000 to 5,000 feet elevation in the Kilauea section, it normally grows as a short-stemmed plant, but may reach heights of more than three feet. Hillebrand (5, p. 550) states that it occurs also on Maui and Kauai at these elevations.

(20) LAUKAHI OR CLIFFBRAKE

Found in both sections of Hawaii National Park, the laukahi is found most frequently in dry areas. In the Kilauea section it has been found at elevations ranging up to 9,500 feet. The segments of the fronds, known technically as PINNAE, are blue-gray in color and are often shaped like a clover leaf, particularly when the fern is growing in shade. The PINNAE are usually rolled up lengthwise, hiding the reproductive structures. Hillebrand (5, p. 633) lists this species as occurring on Maui, Hawaii and Kauai, and over the High Andes from Chile to Mexico.