The 'Ilima is a low sprawling shrub which grows up to four feet tall and occurs from sea level to altitudes of more than 2,000 feet. It is frequently seen growing wild in dry places, including Kapi'olani's Diamond Head campus, while certain other varieties are cultivated in gardens for the purpose of providing lei flowers. The leaves of the 'Ilima are small, light green, heart-shaped with blunt or pointed ends, and with slightly scalloped edges. The flowers are solitary, or in twos and threes, scattered over the plant on short stems.
Flower colors range from yellow, to rich orange, to dull red and even brown.
The flowers, about an inch across, resemble a small hibiscus, with five creepy petals and a group of stamens in the center. The 'Ilima is regarded as the special flower of the island of O'ahu and is a very popular lei flower. The flowers are strung into leis by threading them through the center. As a medicinal source, the 'Ilima flowers were sometimes used by the Hawaiians to cure general debility. Juice of the pressed flowers was given to children, and pregnant women sometimes ate the flowers until time of childbirth.