Pili Grass Roof

Bali s thatched roofs are usually made of alang alang or ijuk while sugar cane is a commonly used material in kenya.

Pili grass roof.

Synthetic pili grass by endureed. Pili grass is also commonly called lule grass spear grass tanglehead and twisted beardgrass. We prefer the term pili grass though. The soil roots and flowering spikes were trimmed and the pili bunch was ready for use.

You can use this unique tiki hut gazebo as an extension of your outdoor living space to put outdoor furniture or hammocks under. Pili grass has been used for roofing buildings in hawaii. The blades of these grasses are tough and strong. Pili grass scientifically known as heteropogon contortus is one of 80 grass species believed to be native to the far west american islands.

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. These days there is a high demand for pili grass and alang alang thatching. It s embedded into the culture and history of hawaii. Its scientific name is heteropogon contortus.

And in florida traditionally we use our native sabal palm thatch. In europe traditional materials include reed and the less popular straw. In dominica and fiji palm leaves are the most prevalent thatching materials. In hawaiian pili means to cling or stick.

In hawaii lauhala and pili grass are used. This grass belongs in the genus heteropogon and the species contortus. 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. Europeans called it tanglehead because the mature seed heads have a tendency to tangle.

1 6 8 pili was harvested by uprooting a bunch.