Machaerina mariscoides subsp. meyenii
Cyperaceae or Sedge family
Synonyms: Baumea meyenii, Cladium meyenii, Machaerina meyenii
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ʻAhaniu
ʻUki
Meyen's twigrush
Natural Range & Environment
ʻAhaniu is an endemic subspecies found in mesic to wet forest from 150–1220 m. (ca. 492–4003 ft.) on all the Main Islands, except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe [Wagner et al. 1990].
Forest & Kim (on Wikimedia Commons) and Ken Wood (on iNaturalist) have some nice photographs of ʻahaniu out in the open you might want to repost since the Wagner et al. description above gives the reader the impression that this is (only) an understory plant.
ʻAhaniu
Description
ʻAhaniu
Uses
Ancient Hawaiian
ʻAhaniu
Modern
Special Features and Information
General
ʻAhaniu
Hawaiian Name
ʻAhaniu Hawaiian Dictionaries.
Etymology
The generic epithet [Gledhill 2008].
The specific epithet [Gledhill 2008].
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]
[1] "In Gardens of Hawaii" by Marie C. Neal, page 89.
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sennit [Accessed 4/2/13]
DWE
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