COMMON NAME
'Ilima
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Sida fallax
ALSO KNOWN AS
Yellow 'ilima, 'Ilima papa
Plant family
Mallow (Malvaceae)
Plant group
Broadleaf Evergreens
'Ilima is 6" to 10' tall perennial growing in a prostrate habit when found on the beach, and an erect shrub habit when growing upland.
12 reports
9+
OBSERVERS
12+
OBSERVATIONS
Identification hints
'Ilima found growing on the beach has silvery foliage, while upland 'Ilima' often has smooth green foliage.
Did you know?
Leis (garlands of flowers) are traditionally made from 'Ilima flowers. This plant is indigenous to Hawaii and is the state flower of the island of Oahu. 'Ilima plants are also important to pollinators, such as the yellow-faced bee, and the flower buds are a critical food source of the endangered Nihoa finch, a species of Honeycreeper. 'Ilima flowers are edible and have been used as a garnish and also for medicinal purposes.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
Hawaii
HABITAT
Growing in rocky or sandy soils, typically near the ocean, including raised limestone reefs, lava fields, or dry forests.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
Oval, toothed leaves are 2-3" long with a pointed end, pale to bright green on top and densely hairy underneath.
Flowers
The flowers are golden yellow to orange, 5-petaled, and tubular, approximately 1" in diameter. Flowers generally open by noon and each last about 1 day.
Fruits
The fruits are brown to black capsules with brown to black seeds inside.
Bloom Time
Blooming all months of the year.
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