Astelia menziesiana

Description:

Painiu, Menzies' asteliaAsteliaceae (Astelia family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (All the main islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe. Common to fairly common on most of the main islands, but rare on Oahu)Hawaii Island (Cultivated)Early Hawaiians used the silvery leaves in lei. Hats were braided from the shiny outer leaves, sometimes with other plant materials, as a sign that one had visited Klauea Crater. Painiu was rarely used for house thatch.The leaves are still incorporated in modern lei for neck, head, wrist, ankle, and for the horse.EtymologyThe genus name Astelia is derived from the Greek, a, without, and stele, column or pillar, in reference to the habit of plants in this genus having little or no stem.The species epithet menziesiana refers to Archibald Menzies (1754-1842) a Scottish surgeon and naturalist, and the first to taxonomically identify the species.NPH00001nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Astelia_menziesiana