Pili Grass Roof

1 6 8 pili was harvested by uprooting a bunch.

Pili grass roof. Making artificial thatches a popular alternative to have an exotic look to your property without the maintenance of natural thatches. 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. Different versions of tiki huts are found all over the world. All with the same intention in mind to give your home or business the perfect tropical shade covering.

Pili grass is a hearty ground cover that grows best in full to partial sun in soil that drains well. We prefer the term pili grass though. Pili grass scientifically known as heteropogon contortus is one of 80 grass species believed to be native to the far west american islands. Somerset old english cottage kona hawaiian faux pili grass bali asian long grass and.

Synthetic pili grass by endureed. Kona is typically installed using a loose island eave bend giving it the appearance of traditional island thatching. I thought of the thatched roofs of the pacific islands and then more specifically hawai i s ancient hale pili meaning house thatched with pili grass the idea asked. In england and ireland their version is a grass thatch.

The soil roots and flowering spikes were trimmed and the pili bunch was ready for use. 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. Pili grass has been used for roofing buildings in hawaii. Pili grass is also commonly called lule grass spear grass tanglehead and twisted beardgrass.

This premium shingle is designed to resemble the look and feel of the hawaiian pili grass thatching and is also a great way to re create the popular asian a lang a lang thatching. Hawaiian style grass thatch. The blades of these grasses are tough and strong. Africa uses a cape reed thatch.

It s embedded into the culture and history of hawaii. Europeans called it tanglehead because the mature seed heads have a tendency to tangle. Pili grass is a common plant indigenous to hawai i. A small group of protect kaho olawe ohana members prepare a traditional hale for potential fire spread to hakioawa by spraying the pili grass roof with water and clearing the area of brush.

Pili grass is used in hawaii. A little while ago i moved which caused an idea to sprout for a drink not necessarily the greatest of ideas but a daydream based more on garnishing than flavor. In hawaiian pili. This grass belongs in the genus heteropogon and the species contortus its scientific name is heteropogon contortus.

These days there is a high demand for pili grass and alang alang thatching. Replicates authentic hawaiian thatched roofs.