Alocasia macrorrhizos
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| Alocasia macrorrhizos | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Subfamily: | Aroideae |
| Tribe: | Colocasieae |
| Genus: | Alocasia |
| Species: | A. macrorrhizos |
| Binomial name | |
| Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don |
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Alocasia macrorrhizos (Araceae) is the "giant taro" or "elephant ear taro" of the Pacific islands and the eastern Australia rainforests. Its Polynesian name is Ape. In Australia it is known as the "cunjevoi" (although that term also refers to a marine animal). It is edible if cooked for a long time but has irritant sap. Alocasia species are used as food plants in the Pacific only in times of food shortage. The varieties recognized in Tahiti are the Ape oa, haparu, maota, and uahea. The giant heart-shaped leaves make impromptu umbrellas in tropical downpours.
The Polynesian saying: Ai no i ka `ape he nane`o no ka nuku (The eater of `ape will have an itchy mouth) means "there will be consequences for partaking of something bad".
[edit] References
- Susan Scott; Craig Thomas (2009) Poisonous Plants of Paradise: First Aid and Medical Treatment of Injuries from Hawaii's Plants. University of Hawai'i Press.
[edit] External links
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