‘Uki ‘uki (Dianella sandwicensis)

Hawaiian name: ‘Uki ‘uki
Botanical name: Dianella sandwicensis
Family: Liliaceae
Status: Indigenous
Where found: All main islands except Ni‘ihau and Kaho‘olawe
Water/Light: Full sun to shade, mesic to wet
Elevation range: 400 to 7,000 feet
Height: 1.5 to 3 feet

 

This native lily forms dense, attractive clumps about three feet in diameter and has beautiful blue fruits nestling among the leaves. The leaves were used as a source of cordage for tying thatching onto the roofs of traditional Hawaiian hale (houses).

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