47 



proach to the planter. The hiiU iiiakiia is the part commonly 

 planted by the Chinese taro raisers. 



Concerning the huli makua, Mr. Clowes writes : "The per- 

 centage of huli omnomn'o'^^ which produce blossoms as the first 

 step in their growth after planting-, is large. As the initial stages 

 of growth have great influence on the future of the crop, it is 

 probable that the energy lost by the h^iU omuomu'o in producing 

 these useless blossoms, lowers their value as seed. However, it 

 is the generally accepted belief that vigorous huli omu' omit o are 

 fairly good seed. It is common and advisable practice, however, 

 if the huh omu'omu'o has divided into two branches preparatory 

 to blossoming, to remove the flower branch before planting. It 

 is also a commendable practice, when the blossoms appear after 

 the hulis are planted, to remove them. They are an excellent veg- 

 etable when boiled, and for thus purpose alone are worth 

 picking." 



The luiU oka arc lateral cormlets or suckers that are produced 

 at one side of the main corm, and bear crowns of leaves. There 

 are frequently a number of these cormlets grouped around the 

 central corm. The h\iU ohd produce flowers more rarely than 

 do the JiuU mokiia. Air. Clowes finds that "large liuli from oha 

 are vigorous, and probably better than makua of the same size." 



In a letter from Mr. Clowes (June 18, 1912), the following 

 statement is made : "As to the following habits of the taro, it is 

 my observation that the only hulis that produce inflorescence are 

 the makua hulis. In an experiment on the Hilo Experiment Sta- 

 tion plots, out of 1000 ohds plante 1, only two flowers were re- 

 corded, and I think that must be due to a mistake somewhere. 

 The production of the inflorescence in the makua hulis was very 

 profuse * '■' * It is my impression that every makua pro- 

 duces flowers. I do not think ords ever do so, but this point I 

 intend to determine by accurate observation. Sometimes in the 

 upland taro fields, near the time of maturity, inflorescence will 

 occur. It is my impression that this is only on the makua part 

 of the plot." 



The hull pu'u are secondary lateral cormlets, too small to cook, 

 and not yet producing leaves. The pu'u are the "grandchildren" 

 of the parent corm. for they originate from the ohd. rather than 

 from the makua. The pu'u are also called zveli, iva'e, and ae. 



Ae, without the glottic closure, means the liquid or juice that 

 can be wrung from the kalo, etc. A'e, with glottic closure, the 

 lateral offspring of the second generation from the kalo corm by 

 budding; also called pu'u or //;/// pu'u. These two words, ac and 

 a'c, are absolutely distinct in etymology as well as meaning. The 

 term a'c as anDlic^l to the secou'-'arv offspring of the kalo is only 

 used with respect to upland kalo; pu'u is the word used with re- 



* The name hiiU oiiui'omu'o is in some regions eri-oneoiisly used as synonymous with 

 httli makua. 



