Machaerina mariscoides subsp. meyenii

Description:

Ahaniu, UkiCyperaceae (Sedge family)Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands (all main islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe)Photo: Oahu (Cultivated)Hawaiian Names:The early Hawaiians named this plant Ahaniu, meaning "coconut sennit." 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 ama (outrigger float) to the hull of the waa (canoe), as well as securing stones to war-club handles and erecting hale (houses).Uki is a name used for some native sedges (Cladium jamaicense, Machaerina spp.) and also another name for Ukiuki or Hawaiian dianella (Dianella sandwicensis).EtymologyThe 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.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Machaerina_mariscoides...