Lāʻī
Scientific Name: Cordyline fruticosa
Common Name: Ti Leaf
Natural Setting / Location: Commonly grows in moist, semi-shaded areas in wet valleys and forests
Lāʻī, or ti leaf, are likely the most versatile plant used for lei making. The green, red, or yellow leaves come from an upright evergreen shrub, with slender single or branched stems. Lāʻī are considered to be a sacred plant and used by kahuna to bring protection from evil and to bring in good spirits. Lāʻī can be made into a lei hili of a few different styles, and are often the chosen base for a lei haku or lei wili.
