Ti has tall wood stalks 3 to 12 feet high. The green leaves are pointed, oval and blade-shaped, about 4 inches wide and vary from 1 to 2 feet long. As new leaves form at the center, the outside older leaves turn yellow and fall, leaving a circular ring on the plant's stalk. The leaves are thick, shiny and flexible. The plant ranges in leaf color from pale white and yellow with green tones, to reds, covering a broad spectrum from pale to pink to a maroon, that appears almost black. Cordyline flower stalk emerges in winter. With the coming of spring, a many-branched drooping cluster of flowers comes into bloom. Its hundreds of tiny half-inch lilac-whitish purple flowers resemble miniature lilies. White or red berries follow the flowering stage, especially in varieties other than the green. (Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.) (Kepler, A. K. 1998. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
Ti has many medicinal uses, either alone or as a wrapping for other herbs needing to be steamed or boiled. For fever, the entire body of an unclothed person was covered with large green Ti leaves. After the patient sweat and fever was broken, the leaves were removed. Cool, freshly washed damp green Ti leaves, held and wrapped around the forehead and temples, can be helpful in relieving headache and fever. Hot stones are wrapped in Ti leaves and used to soothe sore back muscles. A drink from boiled green Ti leaves is used to aid nerve and muscle relaxation. Steam from boiled young shoots and leaves make an effective decongestant. The pleasantly fragrant flowers are also used for asthma, when prepared with other plants. (Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.) (Kepler, A. K. 1998. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
The people of Hawai'i plant Ti around their homes and churches for good luck. In the old days Ti was planted around the lo'i, Taro ponds. The Ti's versatile leaves have many uses, including wrappings for offerings, for roof thatching, as fly whisks or fans, as wrappings for cool food storage, preservation and protection, for wrapping of food to be cooked, especially for laulau, as plates or cups, as fishing lures on hukilau nets, as wearing apparel, such as rain capes, sandals and as hula skirts called pa'u. More recently Ti leaves are used as feed for cattle and horses. Ti leaves are also decorative. They are braided, twisted or woven into lei for numerous special and celebratory occasions. Ti leaves are used as a covering for lu'au tables. Also, they provide Hawai'i's tropical flower industry with a wonderful variety of foliage for impressive floral arrangements. Whistles can also be made from the plant's leaf. (Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.) (Kepler, A. K. 1998. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.) (Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)
Ti may have originated in tropical Asia and Australia. In Hawai'i it was introduced by the earliest Polynesian settlers. (Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.) (Kepler, A. K. 1998. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
A popular use of this plant was in making Okolehao, affectionately called Oke, a potent liquor much like a clear brandy. This brew is distilled from a ferment of baked mashed Ti root. The root is thick, white and sweet, growing very large in older plants. The baked roots are also an emergency famine food and have been eaten as a confection. (Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.) (Kepler, A. K. 1998. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
Ti is considered sacred to the Hawai'i God Lono and to the Goddess of the hula, Laka. It is also an emblem of high rank and divine power. The Hawai'i father Kahili is said to have been inspired by this plant. The leaves are also worn or carried as protection to ward off so-called evil spirits and to call in good. The kahuna priests wore Ki leaves either as lei or as garments when they conducted ancient ceremonial rituals. Ti leaves are still used often today in religious ceremonies conducted by Hawai'i's multi-racial clergy, especially at opening ceremonies to bless new buildings and projects. (Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.) (Kepler, A. K. 1998. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
Ti plant, grows abundantly, cultivated and wild, throughout the tropical Pacific and Southeast Asia. It is common from sea level in the lower wetlands up to the 4,000 foot elevation. Ti is found in shady moist gardens, as a landscaping background plant or as a hedge. (Krauss, B. H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture.) (Kepler, A. K. 1998. Hawaiian Heritage Plants.)
We currently have 80 herbarium specimens for Cordyline fruticosa in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.
