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Ti Leaves
Young ti plants should be kept in a warm, moist, lightly shaded environment, while mature plants need more sunshine and a drier climate. Plant colors are richer and more intense in the fall and winter months due to the increased rainfall. Ti leaves have many uses—hula skirts, food wrappers, thatch for houses and medicine, to name a few. Hukilau fishermen use the dry leaves as fasteners to their fishing nets to assist in driving fish into shallow water. The roots can be baked or turned into a brandy called okolehao. |
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Pronounced "tea", these plants are originally from tropical Asia and the Pacific. They are also referred to as "cordyline terminalis"; the family name "cordyline" means "club", which also describes the large club-like roots. "Terminalis" or "at the end" describes the way the flower clusters at the tops of the leaf crowns. A member of the Lilly family, Hawaiians believe ti leaves bring good luck and protect against misfortune. The plants can range in height from about 1/2 a foot to over ten feet with leaves extending to up to three feet.