Heteropogon contortus (prostrate type) (left) and H. contortus (erect type) (right), cultivated.
These are cultivated plants from northwestern Lāna`i.
Heteropogon contortus (Linnaeus) P. Beauvois ex Roemer and Schultes
Hawaiian names: pili
Common names: twisted beardgrass, tanglehead
Family: Poaceae
Heteropogon contortus is widely distributed outside of Hawai`i. There are two types of the species in Hawai`i, a common and widespread erect type, and a prostrate type found in only a few areas. The erect type of H. contortus occurs on all of the main Hawaiian Islands. The prostrate type only occurs in a few areas where the prevailing trade winds are stronger than normal. I have seen it in the wild only on northwestern Moloka`i (east of Mo`omomi), northwestern Lāna`i, and on Hawai`i in the area of Kalae. On Moloka`i and at Kalae, where the prostrate type was seen, it was the only type present. On northwestern Lāna`i, however, the prostrate and erect types occurred together.
Heteropogon contortus (prostrate type) (left) and H. contortus (erect type) (right), cultivated.
These are cultivated plants from northwestern Lāna`i.
Heteropogon contortus (Linnaeus) P. Beauvois ex Roemer and Schultes
Hawaiian names: pili
Common names: twisted beardgrass, tanglehead
Family: Poaceae
Heteropogon contortus is widely distributed outside of Hawai`i. There are two types of the species in Hawai`i, a common and widespread erect type, and a prostrate type found in only a few areas. The erect type of H. contortus occurs on all of the main Hawaiian Islands. The prostrate type only occurs in a few areas where the prevailing trade winds are stronger than normal. I have seen it in the wild only on northwestern Moloka`i (east of Mo`omomi), northwestern Lāna`i, and on Hawai`i in the area of Kalae. On Moloka`i and at Kalae, where the prostrate type was seen, it was the only type present. On northwestern Lāna`i, however, the prostrate and erect types occurred together.