Nate’s Adventures: Color Spectrum of Hau Flowers
By Nate Yuen | Reading time: 2 minutes
I have been captivated by the flowers of hau – Hibiscus tiliaceus – and how their colors transform from yellow to red.
Hau is an elemental form of Haumea.
And Haumea is another name for Papa -- Earth Mother -- who joined with Wākea -- Sky Father -- in the Hawaiian creation story. Haumea is the goddess of fertility and childbirth, and is the mother of many important deities: Pele, Kāne Milohai, Kāmohoaliʻi, Nāmaka, Kapo, and Hiʻiaka, and others.
Hau, also known as the Sea Hibiscus for its tolerance to saltwater, is found in the tropics worldwide. The tree is believed to have been introduced to Hawaiʻi by the Polynesians: Hau pollen grains have not been found in geological layers from before the arrival of the Polynesians. The tree has strong light wood which was used for adze handles, canoe outriggers, and fishing floaters. The fibrous bark is strong and was made into cordage. The leaves and flowers were used in herbal medicine.
The beautiful flowers of hau have translucent petals, a staminal column which produces pollen, and a stigma at the tip of the flower.
The flowers start off yellow with a red center so dark that it approaches black…
…but as they age, the petals change color.
The flowers go through hues of apricot, salmon, coral, pink, scarlet, and burgundy as they prepare to fall off the tree and decompose in the leaf litter on the ground.
Click on each image above to see a better view!
Fascinating to see the flowers of hau as they transform through the color spectrum…
Hau'ula is named for the red flowers of hau, often found on the ground beneath hau trees.
A hui hou!
Nate