Pili Grass Roof

In europe traditional materials include reed and the less popular straw.

Pili grass roof.

You can use this unique tiki hut gazebo as an extension of your outdoor living space to put outdoor furniture or hammocks under. Synthetic pili grass by endureed. Bali s thatched roofs are usually made of alang alang or ijuk while sugar cane is a commonly used material in kenya. 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.

It s embedded into the culture and history of hawaii. This grass belongs in the genus heteropogon and the species contortus. Its scientific name is heteropogon contortus. We prefer the term pili grass though.

The blades of these grasses are tough and strong. In dominica and fiji palm leaves are the most prevalent thatching materials. In hawaiian pili means to cling or stick. 1 6 8 pili was harvested by uprooting a bunch.

Pili grass scientifically known as heteropogon contortus is one of 80 grass species believed to be native to the far west american islands. 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. And in florida traditionally we use our native sabal palm thatch. Pili grass is also commonly called lule grass spear grass tanglehead and twisted beardgrass.

Pili grass is used in hawaii. In hawaii lauhala and pili grass are used. Europeans called it tanglehead because the mature seed heads have a tendency to tangle. Pili grass has been used for roofing buildings in hawaii.

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