Kūmū ‘Ele‘ele

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Kūmū ‘Ele‘ele: Native variety; Kūmū refers to dark pinkish tinge of ‘I‘o kalo (Corm), similar to color of the Hawaiian goat fish. Kūmū also means good-looking, handsome. ‘Ele‘ele refers to blackish color of the Hā (Petiole). According to J.K., Kūmū ‘Ele‘ele may refer to the tree named kūmū lā‘au, which has a black colored trunk.

USE AS FOOD

Chiefly used as table taro.

DISTRIBUTION

Rare; collected by Pacific anthropologist, Dr. E. S. Craighill Handy from Olowalu, Maui.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Medium in height, slender, erect, maturing within 9 to 12 months, producing from 2 to 5 ‘ohā; recognized by its blackish Hā (Petiole) with inconspicuous narrow reddish lihi (edges of the stem).

HA (PETIOLE)

70 to 90 cm. long, blackish, with inconspicuous narrow reddish lihi (edges of the stem) greenish at top (apex), a dark pink ring at kōhina (base) with light pink for 2 to 3 cm. above the base.

LAU OR LU'AU(LEAF BLADE)

45 to 60 cm. long, 30 to 40 cm. wide, 35 to 45 cm. from tip to base of sinus (māwae), arrow head shaped, drooping, thin in texture, dark green with bluish cast; margins slightly wave-like (undulate); piko small, purple; round leaf section (lobes) obtuse (wide) to slightly acute (narrow) with medium-cut to a deep, narrow lihi māwae (sinus).

I'O KALO (CORM)'

Flesh white with lilac at top (apex), the fibers yellowish; skin lilac-pink, often dark purple along leaf-scar rings.

PUA (FLOWER)

REMARKS