- Sadleria cyatheoides -
Amour fern (Sadleria cyatheoides) grows out of cracks in lava, Hawaii
Ancient Hawaiians utilized ‘ama‘u fronds for various purposes, including as a mulch in the dry-land taro fields. Some ‘ama‘u tree ferns produce pulu, the soft wooly material also found in the hāpu‘u tree fern (Cibotium species). Pulu had many uses in ancient Hawai’i.
The ‘ama‘u tree fern also has connections to ancient myths and traditions. According to legend, the pig god Kamapua‘a may take the form of ‘ama‘u, and has done so at Halema‘uma‘u Crater, a pit crater within the larger Kīlauea Crater on Hawai‘i Island.
- Sadleria cyatheoides -
Amour fern (Sadleria cyatheoides) grows out of cracks in lava, Hawaii
Ancient Hawaiians utilized ‘ama‘u fronds for various purposes, including as a mulch in the dry-land taro fields. Some ‘ama‘u tree ferns produce pulu, the soft wooly material also found in the hāpu‘u tree fern (Cibotium species). Pulu had many uses in ancient Hawai’i.
The ‘ama‘u tree fern also has connections to ancient myths and traditions. According to legend, the pig god Kamapua‘a may take the form of ‘ama‘u, and has done so at Halema‘uma‘u Crater, a pit crater within the larger Kīlauea Crater on Hawai‘i Island.