Kupukupu or Nephrolepsis cordifolia is an indigenous common ground cover.
 


Kupukupu is one of
the first plants to grow
from the grounds of
a lava flow.

 

Kupukupu is also known as the Sword Fern and can be found from sea level to mountain elevations. It has compound leaves that are feather-shaped with very tiny white spores along the edge of the leaf. The leaves are most often bright green but can also be red and yellow in color.

Kupukupu is one of the first plants to grow in new lava flow and it spreads vigorously. It will grow in both sun and shade, wet or drylands. It will also thrive in pots.

 
Kupukupu is used today for making lei.
  The kupukupu fern is mentioned in ancient Hawaiian legends and was sometimes used on hula altars. It was also used as a hula adornment and is still used today for making lei for the wrist and ankles of hula dancers.