Hibiscus kokio

Description:

Kokio ula, Kokio ulaula, or Hawaiian red hibiscusMalvaceae (Mallow family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai)Oahu (Cultivated)A form known as kahilii, with possible recognition as a full species: Hibiscus kahilii.Kokio was pounded with other plants, juice strained, and taken to purify blood. The leaves were chewed and swallowed as a laxative or mothers would chew buds and given to infants and children as a laxative. Mother would also chew the buds and give to children or children would eat the seeds to strengthen a weak child.EtymologyThe generic name Hibiscus is derived from hibiscos, the Greek name for mallow.The specific and subspecific epithet kokio comes from the Hawaiian name for this hibiscus.