Family: Araceae
ʻApe looks a lot like a giant taro plant, but their heart-shaped leaves point upward instead of earth-ward like the kalo. ʻApe are also fairly large with with 2-4 ft. shiny green leaves and up to 4.5 ft. long stems. The trunk is ringed and can rise 4-8 ft. This plant grows very well in slightly moist and shady conditions.
ʻApe not only looks similar to kalo, but it also carries the same irritants within the stem and corm. Therefore, ʻape needs to be cooked for a long time to remove the calcium oxalate. Unfortunately, ʻape does not taste as good as kalo which is why it was consumed only in famine.
Since ʻape was not a preferred food plant, Polynesians found other valuable uses for this canoe plant. ʻApe was utilized within dyes for ipu gourds and various traditional medicines. Leaves could be used for dressing wounds and reducing fevers. It was said that the leaves of ʻape could bring comfort for fevers as the bitter sap would frighten away negative spirits. While juice from the stems was used to treat skin that was itchy or stinging from plants like kō and stinging nettle. The ʻape tubers contain alocasin, which is an anti-fungal protein. However in modern times, ʻape is often used for its ornamental qualities in landscaping as it is hardy and striking in any yard.
Plant Uses:
- Container plant
- Cultural significance
- Edible
- Medicinal
- Ornamental
- Privacy / screening
- Specimen
Plant Dangers:
- Toxic to animals and humans
