Common Name:

General Information

Dianella sandwicensis is an evergreen perennial plant with grass-like leaves. It forms a clump of growth that can be 50 - 200cm tall and more than 1 metre wide[, ].
The plant was traditionally used as a source of cordage for thatching and as a dye. It is quite ornamental and can be grown as a ground cover.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Pacific - New Caledonia, Hawaiian Islands, Marquesas

Habitat

Somewhat open to partly shaded sites, usually in mesic forests, but also in dry shrubland, grassland, on lava and in wet forests at elevations from near sea level to around 2,140 metres[, ].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Found in the wild in drier tropical and subtropical areas where the mean annual rainfall ranges from very low to 1,250mm[].
Succeeds in a position in partial shade or in full sun[]. Grows well in the understorey of trees[]. Plants can tolerate fairly dry soils so long as they are well mulched, and can also succeed in quite wet conditions[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants spread at the roots and can be planted around 30 - 60cm apart each way to form an effective ground cover[].

Other Uses

The fruit has been used in making seed lei[].

The juice extracted from the fruit is used as pale to purple-blue or a true blue dye when mixed with lime fruit[, ].

The long, slender leaves can be braided into cordage and used as ties and lashing material when thatching and making traditional buildings[, ].

Propagation

Seed -
Division of the clump, or removing offsets from the outside of the clump.

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