A Hawaiian shrub with small flowers and edible berries, native to the Pacific islands.
From Hawaiian 'ʻā'ali'i' or 'aalii,' a native plant name. Hawaiian plant names often describe the plant's appearance or uses; this word has been used in Hawaiian for centuries to identify this specific species.
Aalii is used in Hawaiian traditional medicine and the berries change color as they ripen, creating beautiful multicolored displays. Many Hawaiian plant names are impossible for English speakers because they contain the 'okina (') that completely changes pronunciation and meaning.
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