Taxonomy Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta
Habit Short, moderately spreading, very stocky, producing 5-10 ‘ohā.
Corm White flesh with indistinct, yellowish fibers; cortex cream-colored.
Petiole Broad at base, thick and rigid, light geen with white above the base.
Leaf blade Horizontal, very crinkled and conspicuously cupped, medium green; piko and veins light green; lobes obtuse, distinctly overlapping, with deep, narrow sinus.
Origin Hawaiian variety.
Cultivation Dryland and wetland cultivation; matures in 6-9 months.
Uses Light-colored poi; table taro; lū‘au.
Comments Name derives from the fact that its leaf is shaped like a cup (‘apu) and holds water (wai) in the form of dew and rain. White and red varieties(Handy). Reserved for chiefs and offering (Handy). Rain water collected in the cup-shaped leaves was considered pure because it hadn't touched the ground. For this reason, the water from the leaf was considered sacred and used in Hawaiian blessings (Precilla Millen).