Ti (plant)

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iCordyline fruticosa

Foliage

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Laxmanniaceae
Genus:	Cordyline
Species:	C. fruticosa

Binomial name

Cordyline fruticosa
(L.) A. Chev.

Cordyline fruticosa (Ti plant, also known as the good luck plant), is an evergreen flowering plant in the family Laxmanniaceae, formerly treated in the family Agavaceae. It is native to tropical southeastern Asia, Papua New Guinea, northeastern Australia and across Polynesia to Hawaii. It is present in New Zealand, where it is thought to have been introduced from Polynesia by Māori.

It is a woody plant growing up to 4 m tall, with leaves 30-60 cm (rarely 75 cm) long and 5-10 cm wide at the top of a woody stem. It produces 40-60 cm long panicles of small scented yellowish to red flowers that mature into red berries.

[edit] Cultivation and uses

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 woven into roof thatch, clothing (especially dance dress), and other items. Its starchy rhizomes were eaten as food (very sweet when the plant gets older) 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.

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 Hawaiʻi, planting ti leaves near one's house is thought to bring good luck. It is also a very popular type of lei.

It is also grown as an ornamental plant, with numerous cultivars available, many of them selected for green or reddish or purple foliage. It was also used to outline borders between land properties (for which its alternative name: terminalis).

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