Palapalai
Scientific Name: Microlepia strigosa var. strigosa
Common Name: Hay-scented fern
Natural Setting / Location: Found in shady, moist habitats from 230 to 1830 m (70 to 557 ft)
Palapali is indigenous to the Hawaiian islands. Palapalai are medium-sized ferns that grow to be about 2-3+ ft. in length. The fronds are soft and are usually light to medium green in color. Palapalai is a significant plant in Hawaiian culture, primarily for hula. It is one of the plants kapu (sacred) to Laka, the goddess of hula and is used to adorn the hula altar. The ferns are also found to be used in many hula adornments.
