Lehua Palaii
Other Names: Palaii
General Characteristics: Short to medium in height, stiffly erect, slender, maturing within 12 to 18 months, producing from 5 to 10 oha; distinguished by lilac-purple corm flesh and dark green petioles.
Petiole: 60 to 75 cm. long, dark green slightly tinged with reddish-brown at apex, a dark purple ring at base with light purplish-lilac for 3 to 4 cm. above, with a narrow, indistinct, reddish to whitish edge.
Leaf blade: 40 to 50 cm. long, 25 to 35 cm. wide, 30 to 40 cm. from tip to base of sinus, sagittate, drooping, dark green with faint pinkish cast; margins slightly undulate; piko light green to faint brownish; lobes acute with fairly deep, wide sinus.
Corm: Flesh lilac-purple with darker purplish fibers; skin light pink.
Inflorescence: Peduncle dark green; spathe 18 to 23 cm. long, the lower tubular portion 3 to 4 cm. long, dark green, the upper portion clear, deep yellow, open near constriction only upon maturity; spadix 7 to 8 cm. long, the sterile appendage 5 to 8 mm. long.
Origin, and derivation of name: Native variety; the derivation of the name is unknown.
Distribution: Planted extensively in Kona, Hawaii, where it probably covers a greater acreage than any other variety, principally under upland culture.
Use: An excellent upland poi taro.
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