Pili Grass Roof

A little while ago i moved which caused an idea to sprout for a drink not necessarily the greatest of ideas but a daydream based more on garnishing than flavor.

Pili grass roof.

Whether indigenous or a polynesian introduction early hawaiians used pili as their first choice for thatching roofs and for its brown color neat appearance and pleasant odor. Pili grass is also commonly called lule grass spear grass tanglehead and twisted beardgrass. And in florida traditionally we use our native sabal palm thatch. Pili grass is a hearty ground cover that grows best in full to partial sun in soil that drains well.

We prefer the term pili grass though. Kona is typically installed using a loose island eave bend giving it the appearance of traditional island thatching. Europeans called it tanglehead because the mature seed heads have a tendency to tangle. Pili grass has been used for roofing buildings in hawaii.

This premium shingle is designed to resemble the look and feel of the hawaiian pili grass thatching and is also a great way to re create the popular asian a lang a lang thatching. In hawaiian pili. 1 6 8 pili was harvested by uprooting a bunch. Synthetic thatch roof materials have come a long way in replicating the look of natural thatches over the past 10 years.

Spacing the clumps closer than 2 feet will encourage tall growth. It s not clear if pili grass roofs are indigenous or were introduced from polynesia but this thatching has centuries of recorded use in the hawaiian islands. Pili grass is a common plant indigenous to hawai i. I thought of the thatched roofs of the pacific islands and then more specifically hawai i s ancient hale pili meaning house thatched with pili grass the idea asked.

The blades of these grasses are tough and strong. Different versions of tiki huts are found all over the world. It s embedded into the culture and history of hawaii. Africa uses a cape reed thatch.

All with the same intention in mind to give your home or business the perfect tropical shade covering. This grass belongs in the genus heteropogon and the species contortus its scientific name is heteropogon contortus. These days there is a high demand for pili grass and alang alang thatching. Replicates authentic hawaiian thatched roofs.

A small group of protect kaho olawe ohana members prepare a traditional hale for potential fire spread to hakioawa by spraying the pili grass roof with water and clearing the area of brush. Pili grass is used in hawaii. Somerset old english cottage kona hawaiian faux pili grass bali asian long grass and. Pili grass scientifically known as heteropogon contortus is one of 80 grass species believed to be native to the far west american islands.

The soil roots and flowering spikes were trimmed and the pili bunch was ready for use. Synthetic pili grass by endureed.