A Taro is as sweet by any other name

From: maurice major <mmajor at bishop.bishop.hawaii.org> on 1997.05.12 at 19:54:59(738) Regarding the recent post by Julius on terminology for various edible aroids, I have a minor addition from Hawaii. The full scientific name I see in the literature out here for the thing called taro (or kalo) is Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. Then again, I mostly read older stuff and I am just an anthropoloogist, so tell me if the botanical world has revised this name. There are over 300 names for taro varieties here, but it is thought that many are local terms for single cuiltivars. It is also generally accepted that there were easily over 100 varieties in the past, and Hawaii was more into taro than most Polynesian cultures. All of the varieties are presumed to fall under the sceintific name I gave above. Hawaiians also cultivated a plant called ape (ah-pay), which is Alocasia macorrhiza. Historically, Xanthosoma has been introduced, and is also called ape. Today, apes are generally grown by Tongan and Samoan people who live in Hawaii, and not Hawaiians themselves--taro is still number one. The rule for Hawaiian taro is that any wetland taro can also be grown in dryland conditions, but not the other way around. (By dryland, I mean only that it is not in a pond--plenty of water is still required.) Some dryland taro will rot when grown in a pond field. In recent history, dryland taro has gotten something of a bad rap, but the fact is that dryland cultivation can yield lareg, tasty corms. Tha advantage to wetland culture is that you get nearly 8 times the yield per acre. The disadvantage is that you need more investment in labor and infrastructure to begin, as well as a reliable source of cool, clean water. (In a major court case, taro farmers are now trying to get water returned to their valleys. It was diverted about 100 years ago for sugar plantations on the dry side of O`ahu, but the plantations have shut down now. Developers want to keep the water flowing to the dry side.) A final note, if you read about taro here, the term dasheen (or araimo) refers to varieties that produce small corms (smaller than fist sized) and send out runners. I believe that most dasheen taro today derives from types introduced to Hawaii from Asia. I am not a taxonomist or botanist, and lay no claim to knowing the proper names for plants. It is probably useful, however, for those of you who may read about Hawaiian taro to know this info. Aloha, Maurice +More The bosses said to add a disclaimer. So give them neither the credit or blame for anything I say. Also be advised they may read anything you write to me at this address. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Maurice Major mmajor@bishop.bishop.hawaii.org Department of Anthropology Phone: (808) 847-8282 Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum FAX: (808) 848-4132 1525 Bernice Street Honolulu, HI 96817-0196

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