Some Native Hawaiian Monocots Pa'iniu, Astelia menziesiana , the plant above on the left, often grows perched in trees or on dead logs. It once grew more frequently on the ground, but now it is a target for feral pigs. It is small, seldom reaching 20 inches, with 12 inch leaves.
Fruits are small orange colored berries.
Uki'uki, or Dianella sandwicensis, like pa'iniu, is another monocot native plant belonging to the lily family. Its long slender leaves form clumps about 36 inches high. Flowers range from pale to sky blue, and the fruits are small berries with an unusual intense blue-violet color. It is reported that the berries were used by Hawaiians to decorate tapa. Photo is by Marilyn Bauer.