Iliau in bloom on Westside ridges

Driving up to Koke‘e from Kekaha, and hiking along the Kukui Trail above Waimea Canyon, passerby spot an unusual looking native plant in bloom this time of year.

The plant is the iliau and its roots go back to plants known as tarweeds on the West Coast of the United States. The iliau, which is found in the wild only on Kaua‘i, is also a cousin to the well-known silversword plants found in the highlands of Maui and the Big Island.

The native plant’s scientific names is Wilkesia gymnoxiphium, with the reference to the name Wilkes a clue that the plant was brought to the attention of the world’s scientific community by Lt. Charles Wilkes of the U.S.

Exploring Expedition’s global research sail made in the 1840s.

A Bishop Museum Web site page describes the iliau, saying it grows to 15 feet or more when mature, growing at “elevations of 1,500 to 3,000 feet on dry ridges or open forest areas.” The Web page says known populations of iliau are down because of feeding by goats, though there are a number visible on the Iliau Loop section of the Kukui Trail, and along Koke‘e Road on the way up from Kekaha town.

An easy hike to view the iliau is located at the beginning of the Kukui Trail on the western edge of Waimea Canyon. The third-ofa- mile loop trail walk is named the Iliau Nature Loop You’ll see dozens of the plants along with other native upland scrub vegetation plants, and most are identified. The trail also serves as an overlook to Waimea and Waialae Canyons.

More information: For those interested in exploring the Kukui Trail and other hikes in the Kaua‘i native forest the State of Hawai‘i sells the detailed, two-sided Kauai Recreational Trail Map for $5. By mail you can obtain the map by mailing a cashier check of money order for $6 to: Division of Forestry & Wildlife 3060 Eiwa Street, Rm. 306 Lihu‘e, HI 96766.