Map Endemic achyranthes* ‘äma‘u älula* ‘äwikiwiki bonamia* Clay's Hibiscus* cyperus cyperus sedge eugenia häpu‘u kauila* ko‘oloa‘ula* koa kulu‘ï kupukupu lama loulu palm ma‘o mämaki nänü* ‘ohai (shrub) * ‘ohai (tree) * ‘öhia lehua white hibiscus   Indigenous alahe‘e hinahina ‘ilie‘e ‘ilima kou laua‘e fern naio palapalai pili grass pöhinahina ‘uki‘uki ‘ülei variegated hau   Polynesian Introduced coconut kalo kukui red ginger red ti leaf ti leaf sugar cane ulu   Introduced cotton cup of gold eucalyptus heliconia hibiscus manila palm monstera octopus tree pink tecoma plumbago plumeria tangerine wiliwili     *endangered species

Common Name Tanglehead Hawaiian Name Pili Scientific Name Heteropogon contortus Pictures Kalama Garden Keawe Garden Whole Plant Flowers Leaves Location On Campus Pili grass can be found at Kalama Garden, as well as the garden outside of the girls dorms, near Keawe gym. Natural Habitat Pili grass' natural habitat is dry land up on cliffs and ledges in 700m elevation. It can also be found on rocky slopes, they also require summertime moisture. Cultural Information Pili grass is indigenous to Hawai‘i, and was used to thatch the old Hawaiian's hale. It was also used for black dye. Pili means to stick together, it was named pili because of the way it sticks to the neighbors as it grows. Pili grass is rapidly diminishing on O‘ahu and Moloka‘i. Plant Description Roots: Fibrous, meaning there is one main large thick roots which continues to branch out having many slender roots Growth is limited and shallow into the ground Stem: Herbaceous Leaves: Simple leaf 10 cm to 30 cm long 0.6 cm wide Range from bluish green to greenish brown in color Flowers: Narrow spikes Tipped with twisted reddish brown bristle Bristle about 10 cm long  Fruit: Outer skin of seeds Green grains Dry fruit Attached to the base of the flower  Seeds: Seeds of the grain Yellow, tan color Very small  Life Cycle/ Reproduction: Growth period is spring and summer Propagation/ Cultivation: Seeds spread rate is slow Burning supposed to help the growth Interesting Facts: Can grow up to 91 cm Grows in bunches Web Site Links Tanglehead This site will show you information on the tangle head plant, including general description, seedlings, mature plant, roots, florets, etc. Thatching By viewing this web page, you are able to view pictures of the uses of pili grass.  Heteropogon contortus(Black speargrass) This site shows a more detailed description on pili grass.   References Carlson, Norman K. "Three Grasses' Struggle for Supremacy on the Island of Molokai." Journal of Range Movement: The American Society of Range Management. January 1952. March 2003. <http://jrm.library.arizona.edu/data/1952/051/3carl.pdf>. Gustafson, Sohmer R. Plants and Flowers of Hawai'i. Hawai'i: University of Hawaii Press, 1987. Information on California's Noxious Weeds. Bob Roberson, Branch Chief. 22 Feb. 2001. University of California. 19 March 2003 <pi.cdfa.gov/weedinfo/HETEROPO2.html>. Krauss, Beatrice H. Plants in Hawaiian Culture. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 1993. Lamoureux, Charles H. Trailside Plants of Hawaii's National Parks. Hawai‘i: Hawai‘i Natural History Association, 1976. Plants Database. USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. March 9, 2003. Stone, Charles P., Linda W. Pratt. Hawai'i's Plants and Animals. Hawai'i: University of Hawaii Press. 1994. Wagner, Warren L., and Deral R. Hervst. Flowering Plants of Hawai'i. Vol. 2. Hawai‘i: Bishop Museum Press, 1990. Whistler, Arthur. Wayside Plants of the Island. Hong Kong: Everbest Printing Company. 1995. Return to Top

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