Tacca leontopetaliodes -- Pia, or Polynesian arrowroot

Photo By Priscilla Millen

Tacca leontopetaliodes -- Pia, or Polynesian arrowroot Pia leaves arise from the center of the plant on petioles one to three feet long. Leaves are large and deeply divided, one to three feet in width. Flowers are borne on tall stalks in greenish- purplish clusters, with long trailing bracts. The plant is usually dormant for part of the year and dies down to the ground. Later, new leaves will arise from the roundish underground tuber, which looks something like an Irish potato. The harvested tuber must be carefully processed to remove bitter and semi-poisonous chemicals before being used. The processed and extracted starch from the tuber was used with coconut cream to make haupia pudding. It was also used medicinally for diarrhea.