Photo By Priscilla Millen |
Alocasia macrorrhiza -- 'Ape
Hawaiians substituted 'ape for kalo when the preferred kalo was not available.
Characteristic of 'ape is its upward pointing leaf with the petiole joining at the leaf edge. In contrast, kalo leaves are usually smaller, the petiole of the kalo leaf usually joins the blade towards the center and the leaf tips points downward. The thick stem beneath the leaves of 'ape is the where the starchy food is stored.
Today, fewer true 'ape are grown and recently introduced plants which are related, like species of Xanthosoma (called Elephant Ear) are more widely grown and are mistakenly called 'ape. However, Xanthosoma and other look-alikes plants, are different species from the plant designated 'ape by the early Hawaiians.
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