Ti (plant)

The ti plant, also known as the good luck plant, is an evergreen shrub in the agave family Agavaceae. The plant can grow up to 10 feet (3.3 m) tall, with green or reddish leaves from 12 to 30 inches (30 to 75 cm) long and 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) wide at the top of a woody stem. It produces small scented yellowish to red flowers that mature into red berries.

Related Topics:
Evergreen - Agavaceae

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Believed to be native to Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea, the ti plant is most closely associated with Polynesia, where the ti plant proved to be very versatile, especially for its large leaves. Ti leaves were weaved into roof thatch, clothing, and other items. Its starchy rhizomes were eaten as food and used medicinally, and its leaves were used to wrap food and other items. The leaves are also used for lava sledding. A number of leaves are lashed together and people ride down hills on them.

Related Topics:
Southeast Asia - Papua New Guinea - Polynesia - Thatch - Clothing - Starch - Rhizome - Lava sledding

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In ancient Polynesia the ti plant was thought to have great spiritual power; only high priests and chiefs were able to wear leaves around their necks. To this day in Hawai‘i, planting ti leaves near one's house is thought to bring good luck.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although it is pronounced the same way, the ti plant is not to be confused with the tea plant, Camellia sinensis.

Related Topics:
Tea - Camellia sinensis

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~