Common Name:

Pawale, Uhauhako

Rumex giganteus

Rumex giganteus or Pawale, as it's known in Hawaiian, an endemic species in the Polygonaceae family is found in a wide range of habitats on most of the Hawaiian Islands.

In Hawaiian culture Pawale is often used as a medicinal plant. Over the years Pawale has been used to treat leprosy, tuberculosis, skin diseases, heart disease, as a reproductive aid, and to purify the blood.

On Mauna Kea Rumex giganteus can be found growing on the rocky slopes above Hale Pohaku up to around 12,000' elevation.