ʻUkiʻuki
ʻUkiʻuki
Names
- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: ʻUkiʻuki
- Scientific: Dianella sandwicensis
Species Information
ʻUkiʻuki is a perennial herb with dark blue to purple berries. It is sometimes called the Hawaiian lily, though taxonomically it is not in the lily family (Liliaceae) but in the asphodel family (Asphodelaceae). The berries can be used to create dye, and the leaves can be used to create cordage (multiple references via Bishop Museum: Ethnobotany Database).
Distribution
ʻUkiʻuki is found across the Main Hawaiian Islands.
Habitat
ʻUkiʻuki can grow in a wide variety of habitats, including dry to wet forests, sunny to shaded areas, or in grasslands or on lava (Bishop Museum: Ethnobotany Database).
Photos
References & Additional Resources
- Bishop Museum: Ethnobotany Database. Dianella sandwicensis: http://data.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/ethnobotany.php?b=d&ID=ukiuki
- Bishop Museum: Plants of Hawaiʻi. Dianella sandwicensis: https://plantsofhawaii.org/detail/%7B8317B234-1650-451A-BACD-88149647ED6E%7D
- Native Plants Hawaiʻi, University of Hawaiʻi. Dianella sandwicensis: http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Dianella_sandwicensis/