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Ula

Ula
General Characteristics: Short to medium in height, moderately spreading, stocky, maturing within 9 to 12 months, producing from 2 to 5 oha; distinguished by a few narrow green stripes on the brilliant pink basal portion of the petioles.

Petiole: 60 to 80 cm. long, rather rigid, nearly solid pink at base with narrow green stripes, the upper half green, distinctly reddish-pink at edge, a white ring at base.

Leaf blade: 40 to 55 cm. long, 30 to 40 cm. wide, 30 to 40 cm. from tip to base of sinus, ovate, thin in texture, medium green; margins slightly undulate; piko yellowish-green to light green; lobes acute with narrow sinus.

Corm: Flesh chalky white with large, conspicuous, yellow fibers; skin white to cream-colored.

Origin, and derivation of name: Introduced from Samoa by Wilder, ula means "red" in Samoan and probably refers to the brilliant pinkish-red coloration of the petiole bases.

Distribution: Upland taro of limited distribution.

Use: A good table taro.

Remarks: The similarity between this variety and Papakolea-koae is rather striking, further indicating the close relationship between certain Hawaiian and South Sea forms.


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