Pia or Polynesian arrowroot

Tacca leontopetabides- Introduced

Pia was introduced from Polynesian. Pia is known as the Polynesian arrowroot. It is found/planted on the edge of moist woods or areas suitable for kalo (Taro). The leaves of the Pia is mature in the summer when the leaves turn yellow. To get starch from the tubers, it was grated on coarse stones, placed in an ‘umeke lä‘au, then soaked in fresh water. The grated pia is bitter and the water must be changed several times.

Bible Scripture:

Job 8:19
Surely its life withers away, and from the soil other plants grow.

Above: The pia plants stand boldly in unison.
Photo from Pualei L.

Bibliography

Life in Early Hawai‘i The Ahupua‘a. Honolulu: Kamehameha Schools Press, 1994.

"Gospel Communications." Bible Gateway.Com. 1995. 8 Feb. 2007 <http://www.biblegateway.com>.