Pleomele is a former genus of flowering plants. All its species are now placed in the genus Dracaena. The Hawaiian name for plants in this genus is hala pepe, which translates to crushed or dwarfed Pandanus tectorius.

Former species

Uses

Medicinal

Native Hawaiians combined the bark and leaves of hala pepe with the root bark of uhaloa (Waltheria indica) and popolo (Solanum americanum), and a section of kō kea (Saccharum officinarum) to treat high fever and chills. Hala pepe bark, roots, and leaves were combined with ōhia ai (Syzygium malaccense) bark, uhaloa and popolo taproot bark, alaala wai nui pehu (Peperomia spp.) stems, noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit, kō kea, niu (coconuts, Cocos nucifera), and pia (Tacca leontopetaloides) to treat lung disorders.

Non-medicinal

The soft wood of the trunk was carved by Native Hawaiians into kii. Hala pepe represented the goddess Kapo on the kuahu (altar) within a hālau hula (building which hula was taught or performed). It along with ieie (Freycinetia arborea), maile (Alyxia oliviformis), ōhia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) and palapalai (Microlepia strigosa) were the five essential plants at the hula altar.