Family Agavaceae

Agave Family

HAWAII - POLYNESIAN INTRODUCTION

Cordyline fruticosa

Waimanalo, Oahu

 

UH Manoa, Oahu

Wa'ahila ridge, Oahu

TI PLANT, CABBAGE PALM    KI

Introduced to Hawaii by early Polynesians, occurring in mesic forests & valleys.  Numerous ornamental cultivars in gardens.  Culturally important throughout the Pacific.  Large green-leaf variety is the standard form.  Originally from SE Asia.  Sometimes included the Family Liliaceae.

http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/resultsdetailed.asp?search=ki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordyline_fruticosa

 HAWAII - NATURALIZED

Furcraea foetida

Kanaio, Maui

MAURITIUS HEMP

Locally common & invasive in dry, rocky disturbed areas.  Leaves bright green with smooth edge.  Reproduces by young plants (bulbils) that develop after flowering.  Cultivated to produce fiber.  Native to South America.

Agave sisalana

Auwahi, Maui

SISAL

Locally naturalized in dry, rocky disturbed areas.  Young leaves with bluish waxy coating, becoming dull green, edge smooth or with small prickles.  Flowering once after 8-20 years.  Cultivated to produce fiber.  Native to the Yucatan Peninsula.

 

HAWAII - CULTIVATED

Agave americana

CENTURY PLANT or MAGUEY

Cultivated or garden escapes in dry areas.  Leaves with tendency to curl, blue-gray or striped, edge with stout prickles.  Flowering once after about 10 years.  Cultivated to produce fiber or as ornamentals.  Native to Mexico.

NORTH AMERICA - INDIGENOUS

Camassia quamash

Victoria, BC, Canada

Victoria, BC, Canada

QUAMASH or SMALL CAMAS

Native to moist meadows from BC to northern California, Alberta & Wyoming.  Blooms in spring.  Bulbs are edible.

 

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