The ti plant is probably a native of southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea. It may also be native
to Melanesia, northeastern Australia, the Indian Ocean, and parts of Polynesia. Or it may have been spread by
the Polynesians, who used it as a food source, to many of these locations, including Hawai‘i and New
Zealand.
Ti plant and its cultivars are popular among gardeners.
Identification: Ti plant looks a bit like a palm, but it is a member
of the lily family. It reaches 13′ (4 m) in height, with leaves 12-24″ (30-60 cm) long × 1¾-4″ (5-10 cm) wide. Leaves are green, reddish purple or combinations. Its flowers form hanging panicles, 1-2′ (40-60 cm) long, with yellowish, pink or red flowers less than ½″ (1.3 cm) across that
become red berries.