44.4

For keenest enjoyment, I visit when the dew is on them,
or in cloudy weather, or when the rain is falling:
and I must be alone or with someone who cares for them as I do.
- David Fairchild .. .. ..

Red Ti
Maui Hawaii ..

In traditional Hawaiian culture, the red ti is considered feminine and the green ti is masculine.
Cordyline terminalis [Ti plant] are known to the tropical world by many names and are crowned as "King of tropical foliage." The tropical Ti plant, also known as Ti is used extensively by Hawaiians and planted at the entrance to a home or business for good fortune and to drive away negative energy. There are many varieties here on Maui. They are technically classified as Cordyline terminalis. There are approximately 20 species of Cordyline, which, as I understand, are in the Agave family, Agaveaceae.

They have long narrow, leathery, often variegated leaves and yellowish, white, or reddish flowers with red berries. Many which are thriving in their growing conditions stand over 15 feet high.
Native to Eastern Asia to Polynesia, Ti hybrids have names in Hawaiian, English, French, and Japanese.

The correct pronunciation of Ti is similar to Tea.
Ti leaves are also used in cooking. Meats, fruits and other ingredients are wrapped in the leaves and steamed, baked or roasted as in traditional Hawaiian luau.
They are also used in the imu in roasting Pork for Kahlua pig, which is delicious.
The beautiful leaves are also used in wrapping special sacred offerings and gifts called Ho'okupu.
And they are woven into beautiful ropes and rosettes in lei.

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