The poisonous Ilie'e , also known as Leadwort, is a low growing shrub. It has ova- shaped leaves and small white tubular star-shaped flowers. The green and yellow fruit cluster at the tip of the stem and turn brown when they are ripe. The dark brown seeds are are like a a cocklebur with glue and will stick to anything. The fast growing plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and flowers year round.

Ancient Hawaiians mixed this plant with others to fix sprains. The juice from the roots were used as a tatoo pigment which colored navy blue to black.