Machaerina mariscoides subsp. meyenii
Genus
Machaerina
Species
mariscoides
Subspecies
- meyenii
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- ʻAhaniu
- ʻUki
Hawaiian Names
- Ahaniu
- Uki
Common Names
- Meyen's twigrush
Synonyms
- Baumea meyenii
- Cladium meyenii
- Machaerina meyenii
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Clumping
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Grass-like, Medium, 1 to 2.5
- Grass-like, Tall, Greater than or equal to 2.5
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Brownish
- Greenish-White
Plant texture
- Coarse
Leaf Colors
- Gray / Silverish
- Light Green
- Medium Green
Additional Leaf Color Information
The long strap-like leaves of ʻahaniu are grayish-green.
Water Requirements
- Moist
- Wet
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Tolerances
- Wind
Soils
- Organic
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 3000 to 3999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 4000 to 4999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 4000 to 4999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
ʻAhaniu is found in mesic to wet forest from about 490 to 4000 feet on all the Main Islands, except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe.
Special Features and Information
General Information
The genus Machaerina belongs to the Sedge Family (Cyperaceae) consisting of about 85 species.
There are two species in the genus Machaerina native to the Hawaiian Archipelago, the featured species of which the subspecies is endemic, or found exclusively, here, and the indigenous Machaerina angustifolia.
Etymology
The generic name Machaerina is derived from the Latin machaera, a bent dagger or sword, and -ina, a feminine suffix, which in this case is diminutive, referring to the shape of the leaves of some species.
The specific epithet mariscoides is from the Latin Mariscus, a genus in Cyperaceae, the suffix -oides, like or resembling, in reference to this species resemblance of the sedge Mariscus.
The subspecific meyenii was named after Franz Julius Ferdinand Meyen (1804-1840), a German physician and botanist.
Hawaiian Names:
The early Hawaiians named this plant ʻAhaniu, meaning "coconut sennit." [1] Sennit is a type of cordage made by plaiting or braiding strands of leaves or fiber. Coconut (niu) fiber from the husks was often used. It was important in attaching the ʻama (outrigger float) to the hull of the waʻa (canoe), as well as securing stones to war-club handles and erecting hale (houses). [2]
ʻUki is a name used for some native sedges (Cladium jamaicense, Machaerina spp.) and another name for ʻUkiʻuki or Hawaiian dianella (Dianella sandwicensis).
Background Information
The endemic subspecies meyenii differs from subsp. mariscoides of Malesia in the more reduced structure of spikelets. The spikelets of subsp. meyenii have 3-4 glumes and are 1-flowered, and broadly ovoid to subglobose achenes 2-2.3 mm long. Subspecies mariscoides has spikelets with 5-6 glumes and up to 3 flowers, and ellipsoid to ovoid achenes 3.5-4 mm long.
Early Hawaiian Use
ʻAhaniu was used for tying. [1] (See also above heading "Etymology" under "Hawaiian Names")
Modern Use
ʻAhaniu are known in landscaping, but so far seldom used.
Flowering stalks can be used in dry arrangements. [1]
Additional References
[1] "In Gardens of Hawaii" by Marie C. Neal, page 89.
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sennit [Accessed 4/2/13]
PHOTOS FOR THIS SPECIES CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK (Copy & Paste to your browser):
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=50823119%40N08&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=Machaerina%20mariscoides%20subsp.%20meyenii
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