Peperomia macraeana

Description:

[syn. Peperomia lilifolia]Piperaceae (Pepper family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Oahu, Molokai, Lnai, Maui, Hawaii)Kaala Natural Area Reserve, OahuFrom the leaves and stems of Peperomia spp. a rich gray green dye called ahiahia, or puahia, made from the ashes was used for dying kapa (tapa) by the early Hawaiians.Medicinally, early Hawaiians also used the juice as a tonic and for inner ear disorders. Various parts of the plants with other ingredients were used orally for fetid vaginal discharge, debilitating consumption, relapse after recovery from illness, severe asthma, and possibly for various stages of appendicitis.