aalii
n. countablen. a small tree or shrub from Hawaii that has very hard wood and colorful seed pods. It is famous for being strong enough to grow in windy places.
n. a species of flowering shrub or small tree, Dodonaea viscosa, indigenous to Hawaii and other tropical regions, noted for its extremely dense wood and papery, winged seed capsules.
The aalii grows well even in the dry, windy hills.
Native gardeners often plant aalii because its deep roots help prevent soil erosion on steep slopes.
The durable timber of the aalii was traditionally utilized by Hawaiians for crafting weapons and house posts, while its vibrant capsules were gathered for weaving decorative lei.
From Hawaiian ʻaʻaliʻi (“name of any of the hardwood shrubs of the genus Dodonaea”).
The term is primarily used in botanical or Hawaiian cultural contexts.