The 'ulei, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, or u'ulei (eluehe if you're on Moloka'i), is an indigenous Hawaiian plant suitable for various landscaping uses in our Islands. The low, rambling shrub has flexible, arching or sprawling branches. The stems are long, grayish and very resilient. Glossy, dark-green, compound leaves are contrasted by silvery, hairy undersides. Petite white flowers, slightly fragrant, cluster at the new growth tips. Small, pulpy, whitish/purplish fruits usually contain five tan, wedge-shaped, stony seeds.

Ancient Hawaiians had numerous uses for 'ulei.

Hawaiians ate the seeds and leaf buds to treat 'ea (thrush), and pa'ao'ao (latent childhood disease with physical weakening). To treat kahi'eha (open cuts), the leaves and bark were pulverized with salt and directly applied to wounds.

The tiny leaves, roselike flowers and tinted fruit were prized for lei wili. The fruits were a famine food and also provided a light lavender dye.

The hard wood was made into 'o'o (digging sticks) and short spears, especially for capturing he'e (octopus). Longer spears carved from 'ulei were used in the sport of kaka la'au (spear fencing). Hawai'i's only indigenous stringed instrument, the 'ukeke (musical bow), was derived from 'ulei.

The 'upena (hand net) was a small bag net supported by a frame fashioned from supple, young branches of 'ulei and used as a one-person scoop net.

In our Hawaiian gardens, 'ulei is eye-catching. It's an attractive ground cover, solitary or blended into a mosaic of other prostrate native plants. Its pliant stems can be focused into decorative shapes and directions. It can be trained to grow as a tree, as a specimen shrub or hedge. 'Ulei also is exceptional when hugging lava rocks or coral.

'Ulei thrives in widely divergent habitats including coastal cliffs, lava fields, dry shrub land, moderately moist forest and disturbed sites.

The plants do best with good drainage and full sun, but will handle bright shade. Do not overwater or overfertilize this slow-growing plant. It has no significant insect pests or disease. However, ants and associated pests (scale insects, mealybugs and aphids) may require control. 'Ulei is extremely wind-tolerant and relatively salt-tolerant.

In Mary Kawena Pukui's " 'Olelo No'eau" is Proverb 956: "He 'ulei kolo" — a creeping 'ulei. It's an expression reflecting a tough, strong person.

Follow the poetic example of this proverb and discover how 'ulei will give character to your Hawaiian garden with its pliable branches, apple-blossom-like flowers, and white, purplish tinted berries, framed against lustrous, evergreen leaves.