28 
BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION 
stalks come in cylindrical bundles about 12 to 15 inches long and 4 
inches across. The stalks are practically leafless, but some young 
unfurled leaves are to be found within the sheaths. The Japanese 
dry-land varieties, Tru-no-ko, Aka-do, and Miyako, are largely used 
in supplying the local markets. The variety which is known on the 
market as Tow-imo is 4 to 6 feet long and 2 to 4 inches thick at the 
base. It is light green and may or may not be covered with a bloom 
or whitish substance. This variety is cultivated primarily for its 
edible petioles. 
To prepare for the table. — Cook as directed for taro shoots but 
until tender. 
Figure 25. — Tender fern fronds 
Tender Fern Fronds (Pteridium aquilinum). (Fig. 25) 
Chinese name : Kuet 
Japanese name: Warabi 
Shape: Stafflike petiole or leafstalk with closely coiled lip. 
Size: Eighteen to twenty-four inches long; tapering toward tip; three-fourths 
to l 1 /^ inches in diameter at thick end. 
Color: Light green with fine, close-pressed brown wool over entire stem and 
leaves. 
Tender fern fronds are the immature, unfurled leaves and leaf- 
stalks of the tree fern. The fronds for market are tied in bunches 
of four to six. A smaller species of fern (Osmunda regalis japonica 
