Touchardia latifolia
Gaudich.
Urticaceae
Common Name: Olona
General Information
Olona is a shrub growing 1 - 3 metres tall,
The plant yields a very high quality fibre, said by some to be one of the best and strongest in the world[
509- Title
- The Indiginous Trees of the Hawaiian Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rock J.F.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1913
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A guide to the trees and forests of Hawaii. Rather dated, but a good work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
640- Title
- Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum Vol. 11
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Bishop Museum Press; Honolulu
- Year
- 1903 - 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes an article on the fibre plants of Hawaii.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Pacific - Hawaii.
Habitat
Mesic valleys and wet forest at elevations from 70 - 1,200 metres[
]. Deep ravines[
454- Title
- Useful Fiber Plants of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dodge C.R.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- USDA; Washington.
- Year
- 1897
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 2.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
The plant grows best at elevations from 300 - 1,500 metres[
640- Title
- Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum Vol. 11
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Bishop Museum Press; Honolulu
- Year
- 1903 - 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes an article on the fibre plants of Hawaii.
].
The plant flourishes best in a deeply shaded woodland position with hardly any clearing[
640- Title
- Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum Vol. 11
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Bishop Museum Press; Honolulu
- Year
- 1903 - 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes an article on the fibre plants of Hawaii.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
A fibre obtained from the bark is strong, light, and water-resistant[
]. A very good quality fibre, highly prized for its tenacity and durability, it is used traditionally for making fish lines, netting, in feather capes and helmets, as well as ki-leaf rain capes, in musical instruments; in weapons such as daggers, clubs. Also used in conjunction with Freycinetia arborea in twined basketry[
]. The fibre is suitable for making fine cloth[
454- Title
- Useful Fiber Plants of the World
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dodge C.R.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- USDA; Washington.
- Year
- 1897
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plants are best cut when a little over a year old and their thick stems stripped of the loosely adhering bark[
640- Title
- Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum Vol. 11
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Bishop Museum Press; Honolulu
- Year
- 1903 - 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes an article on the fibre plants of Hawaii.
]. The extraneous pulp is then scraped away the with a blade[
640- Title
- Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum Vol. 11
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Bishop Museum Press; Honolulu
- Year
- 1903 - 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Includes an article on the fibre plants of Hawaii.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
