Ti, Kī

Description:

The cordyline fruticosa, commonly known as the ti, is a perennial shrub, meaning that it can live for more than two years. It’s foliage can be green or red in color, and the leaves are a elliptic shape. The leaves branch out from a single stalk, with the newest leaves growing from the top. The leaves that I found on my ti plant were about 11 inches long, and the plant from the bottom of the stem to the top was about 4 feet tall.

Habitat:

Kaimukī Avenue, Honolulu.

Notes:

The ti plant is called kī in the Hawaiian language. It is Polynesian introduced to the Hawaiians, meaning that the plant was brought intentionally to the islands by humans. In the ancient days, the leaves of the kī were very useful. Some of the uses included wrapping food, medicine, and as clothing. In the modern days, kī leaves are still used in these practices as it helps us to remember how our ancestors survived.