HAWAII NATURE NOTES
THE PUBLICATION OF THE
NATURALIST DIVISION, HAWAII NATIONAL PARK
AND THE HAWAII NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

(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.

PALAA, D, (14).