Ilima is the Hawaiian name of the plant, while its botanical name is Sida fallax.
This low spreading shrub belongs to the family Malvaceae. The plant is capable to attain the height of 4 feet. The plant bears tiny leaves in pale green color. They have the shape of heart and are notable by pointed tips and lightly scalloped margins. The plant produces pretty flowers on short stems in yellow, orange, red and brownish.
They are formed of 5 petals and a series of stamens in the center, and can be borne individually, per two flowers or even three. The blooms have the diameter of nearly 1 inch, and look like small hibiscus plant.
The yellow Ilima flower is recognized as ‘the Flower of Oahu’. The plant thieves in dried areas as a wild; however some of its varieties are widely planted in gardens being valued for their lei flowers. Its blooms are strung into leis by threading them through the center.
Citizens of Hawaii believed the plant had medicinal properties and used it for general debility treatment. Pregnant women consumed its juice and flowers prior giving a birth to a child. Beside of, the root bark mixed with the plant’s blooms was used as an asthma remedy.
Types of Flowers: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
