Which variety of Kalo is the best? The one that's in the bowl on the table. - Jeremy Konanui, Hawaiian Mahiai
La‘aloa: Native variety; the derivation of the name is unknown. La‘a means sacred, holy, devoted, consecrated, set apart or reserved as for sacred purposes, dedicated.
USE AS FOOD
Mainly as table taro.
DISTRIBUTION
Most common on the island of Hawai‘i, grown chiefly under māla (dryland) culture; it thrives best in wet upland forests, where it temperatures may be cooler. It can spend two years in the ground.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Medium in height, well spreading, maturing within 8 to 12 months, producing from 5 to 10 ‘ohā; characterized by white kōhina (stem base) and reddish-brown shading on the lower half of the Hā (Petiole).
HA (PETIOLE)
65 to 90 cm. long, reddish-brown shading to greenish on upper portion, indistinctly brownish at the lihi (stem edge), white at the kōhina (base).
LAU OR LU'AU(LEAF BLADE)
40 to 50 cm. long, 30 to 35 cm. wide, 30 to 40 cm. from tip to base of sinus (māwae), arrow head shaped, medium green; piko light yellowish-green; round leaf section (lobes) obtuse to slightly acute with wide lihi māwae (sinus).
I'O KALO (CORM)'
Flesh chalky white with yellowish fibers; skin whitish.
PUA (FLOWER)
REMARKS
*The # refers to CTAHR's bulletin 84 system.
