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Tacca leontopetaloides

(L.) Kuntze (1891)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Dioscoreales Family: Dioscoreaceae Genus: Tacca

pia, polynesian arrowroot

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Tubers depressed-globose or broadly ellipsoid, thin-skinned and smooth, 1.5–5 cm long, 1–8 cm in diameter, growing near the surface or up to 0.5 m below the surface, tubers replaced during the year by new ones that arise from a thick, downward-growing rhizome and remain dormant after senescence of the aerial parts, leaves arising from an apical cavity, the base of the leaves and inflorescences at least in young plants surrounded by linear–lanceolate cataphylls 8–21 cm long.

Stems: Rhizomatous, tuberous.

Roots: Fibrous root system.

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades broadly obovate, ovate, or oblong–ovate in outline, blades 3–7 dm long, up to 120 dm wide. Surfaces glabrous. Margins palmately divided, the lobes deeply pinnately divided at base, deeply 3–cleft above, each lobe pinnately divided, ultimate segments basically lanceolate. Veins parallel or palmate. Petioles hollow, 1.7–15 dm long, the sheath 0.2–2.5 dm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers 20–40 on green, hollow scapes 2–17 dm long, involucral bracts 4–12, pale to dark green, occasionally with purplish margins, variable in size, outer ones 2.5–10 cm long, usually somewhat drooping, inner ones essentially similar in shape, slightly smaller, spreading to erect, the floral bracts 20–N, dark purple or dark blackish brown, filiform, up to 25 cm long, each flower drooping, on pedicels up to 5 cm long, elongating up to 8 cm long in fruit; tepals yellowish green or purplish green, the perianth tube 1.5–5 mm long, the lobes somewhat fleshy with membranous margins, the outer 3 elliptic or ovate, (1.5–)4–7 mm long, the inner 3 ovate or oblong–ovate, 5–7.5 mm long; stamens white or dull yellow to brown or purple; ovary with numerous pellucid glandular hairs 1.5–3 mm long, with a ribbed annular disk. Flowers sometimes subtended by filiform bracts, pedicels 6–ribbed. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic. Flowers sometimes subtended by filiform bracts, pedicels 6–ribbed. Tepals 6, dark colored, basically petaloid, usually connate toward base into a short tube, the lobes in 2 alternate whorls. Stamens 6, in 2 whorls, inserted on perianth tube or at base of tepals; filaments short, flattened and somewhat petaloid, together with the broad connective forming a hood-like structure over the inflexed anther; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary inferior, 3-carpellate, 1-celled, obpyramidal, 6–ribbed; ovules numerous, anatropous, placentation basically parietal, each placenta with numerous ovules; style 1, apex with 3 obcordate lobes, each one with a stigmatic canal.

Fruit: Fruit rarely formed (at least in Hawai'i); pale to dark green; maturing pale orange; globose to occasionally ellipsoid or ovoid; 1.5–2.5(–3.5) cm in diameter. Seeds numerous; yellowish brown; ovoid to ellipsoid; 5.5–8 mm long; seed coat spongy; white; 15–19–ribbed.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Uncommon; in disturbed areas such as grassy slopes and mesic valley floors.

Elevation Range: 3–330 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Cultivated for its starchy tubers (Krauss 1993:8,15).

  • Pia is a secondary ingredient to treat ho‘opapailua lua‘i (nausea) and lua‘i mau ( continual vomiting). The green leaves of ha‘a are gathered and eaten. Once chewed into a fine mash and swallowed, four lumps of pia are mixed with water and drunk. This will end nausea and vomiting (Chun 1994:72). It is also noted as a secondary ingredient in many other medicines (see other plants).

  • Cooked, mashed pia combined with coconut cream to make haupia

PROPAGATION/CULTIVATION

  • (Handy et al. 1972:183).

Ethnobotanical Images

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Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Birds

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 704 (1891)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1612 (K, O, Mo, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:756 (DESCR); St.John 12696 BISH (Mo†, 1932)

Laau Hawaii (Abbott) p.35

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Tacca leontopetaloides Waiohinu, Kau Preserved_Specimen 3 clusters; dry on plant Meinecke, W.H. Hawaii BISH 1969-08-27
2 Tacca leontopetaloides Waiohinu, Kau Preserved_Specimen One cluster, few unopened flowers outside of the cluster. (Freshest obtainable at present.) Meinecke, W.H. Hawaii BISH 1969-08-27
3 Tacca leontopetaloides near Kamalo Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5560 Molokai BISH 1928-06-26
4 Tacca leontopetaloides near Kamalo Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5560 Molokai BISH 1928-06-26
5 Tacca leontopetaloides Kona, Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 11/10/2015
6 Tacca leontopetaloides Wailau and Pelekunu Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 520 Molokai BISH 1912-09-01
7 Tacca leontopetaloides Kaneohe HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Oahu 4/11/2019
8 Tacca leontopetaloides Na Pali coast, Kalalau trail Beside the trail on gentle slope above Hanakapiai valley, among grasses. Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 3755 Kauai BISH 1961-08-14
9 Tacca leontopetaloides Waiahole Valley, edge of native bamboo grove Preserved_Specimen Judd, C.S. Oahu BISH 1938-11-04
10 Tacca leontopetaloides 1911 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1931-12-04
11 Tacca leontopetaloides Manoa upland Preserved_Specimen Kauai BISH 1953-10-30
12 Tacca leontopetaloides Manoa upland Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH 1953-10-30
13 Tacca leontopetaloides Halawa, on dry ledges, Steep cliff, near base of upper Maoula Falls among ti and kukui Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12696 Molokai BISH 1932-12-27
14 Tacca leontopetaloides Wailau and Pelekunu Valleys Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 520 Molokai BISH 1912-09-01
15 Tacca leontopetaloides or Nihau Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 26 Kauai BISH 1851-01-01
16 Tacca leontopetaloides Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5556 Oahu BISH 1932-07-12
17 Tacca leontopetaloides Wailau Valley Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5561 Molokai BISH 1928-08-11
18 Tacca leontopetaloides Kealakekua, Kona. Wall Hotel garden Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 10160 Hawaii BISH 1933-09-01
19 Tacca leontopetaloides Kauai or Niihau Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 161 Kauai BISH 1851-01-01
20 Tacca leontopetaloides Kauai or Niihau Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 161 Kauai BISH 1851-01-01
21 Tacca leontopetaloides Kauai or Niihau Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 161 Kauai BISH 1851-01-01
22 Tacca leontopetaloides Wailau Valley Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5561 Molokai BISH 1928-08-11
23 Tacca leontopetaloides Near Kamalo Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5560 Molokai BISH 1928-06-26
24 Tacca leontopetaloides Wailau and Pelekunu Valleys Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 520 Molokai BISH 1912-09-01
25 Tacca leontopetaloides Kona Preserved_Specimen Handy, E.S. Hawaii BISH 1931-08-03
26 Tacca leontopetaloides Kealakekua Preserved_Specimen Paris, W.J. Hawaii BISH 1930-03-23
27 Tacca leontopetaloides Maui Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Maui BISH 1933-08-01
28 Tacca leontopetaloides Kau District, Kawaa Near the sea. Preserved_Specimen Dried flowers. No seeds found. Meinecke, W.H. Hawaii BISH 1961-09-07
29 Tacca leontopetaloides Na Pali coast, E of Hanakapiai Grassy headland. In wet heavy soil. Preserved_Specimen Many plants, spreading. St.John, H. 23212 Kauai BISH 1947-12-31
30 Tacca leontopetaloides Honolulu Grown in garden. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 555822 Oahu BISH 1931-08-30
31 Tacca leontopetaloides East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, E of Piilanihale Heiau Cultivated area for native plants along margin of Pandanus forest. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2596 Maui BISH 1987-11-10
32 Tacca leontopetaloides Kau, Kawaa Bottom of hole in pahoehoe; 300' +/- from seashore. Preserved_Specimen Meinecke, W.H. Hawaii BISH 1957-08-21
33 Tacca leontopetaloides Waiahole Valley Edge of native bamboo grove. Preserved_Specimen Judd, C.S. Oahu BISH 1938-11-04
34 Tacca leontopetaloides West Maui, Lahaina District, Pokhakupule Gulch growing on gulch slope in shade of Agathis grove, surrounded by disturbed Mesic Forest. Preserved_Specimen Stemless herbs growing on gulch slope ... Plants were not visible first week of June. Tubers yellowish brown, ellipsoid, about 6 deep; petioles hollow. Oppenheimer, H.L. 80310 Maui BISH 2003-08-15
35 Tacca leontopetaloides Halawa. Near base of upper Moaula Falls On dry ledges, steep cliff; among ti and kukui. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12696 Molokai BISH 1932-12-27
36 Tacca leontopetaloides Kau District, Waiohinu Growing in the open. Preserved_Specimen Small plant 2' high; 1 flower seems to open at a time and very briefly. Meinecke, W.H. Hawaii BISH 1962-08-21
37 Tacca leontopetaloides Honolulu Grown in garden. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5556 Oahu BISH 1932-07-12
38 Tacca leontopetaloides Hilo; near steamship pier E of city Hot, dry open guava thicket. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 2297 Hawaii BISH 1923-08-11
39 Tacca leontopetaloides Honolulu Grown in garden. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5556 Oahu BISH 1932-07-12
40 Tacca leontopetaloides Waimea Audubon Center, Waimea Valley, Oahu, Hawaii Cultivated, in forested area, just before the Guam section. Not in flower. Preserved_Specimen Herbaceous, multi-lobed leaves. Crago, L.M. 2005203 Oahu BISH 2005-10-18
41 Tacca leontopetaloides Honolulu Grown in garden. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 55581 Oahu BISH 1931-08-30
42 Tacca leontopetaloides Haiku Valley, Waiahole Forest Reserve, Heeia In thicket on ridge. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12277 Oahu BISH 1932-12-11
43 Tacca leontopetaloides Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Haleiwa Preserved_Specimen Single-stemmed herb 5' tall; main stem 1 diam. basally, fluted; lvs 3-parted, then winged and 2x divided; infl stalk arises separately, 1-1.25 diam., ca. 6' tall; frts yellow-green, filaments 4-5 long, project beyond frts. Orr, D. 19 Oahu BISH 1994-12-16
44 Tacca leontopetaloides East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, E of Piilanihale Heiau Cultivated area for native plants along margin of Pandanus forest. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2596 Maui BISH 1987-11-10
45 Tacca leontopetaloides East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, E of Piilanihale Heiau Cultivated area for native plants along margin of Pandanus forest. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2596 Maui BISH 1987-11-10
46 Tacca leontopetaloides Wailau Valley Growing among thick grass near sea level. Preserved_Specimen Apparently escapes from aboriginal cultivation. Degener, O. 5559 Molokai BISH 1928-08-15
47 Tacca leontopetaloides Na Pali coast, Maunapuluo Scattered on grassy headland. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 25988 Kauai BISH 1956-12-22
48 Tacca leontopetaloides Wailau Valley Growing among thick grass near sea level. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5559 Molokai BISH 1928-08-15
49 Tacca leontopetaloides Waiahole, Forest Reserve, near stream on wet bank, under native bamboo Preserved_Specimen Judd, C.S. 42 Oahu BISH 1938-11-04
50 Tacca leontopetaloides Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Haleiwa Preserved_Specimen Single-stemmed herb 5' tall; main stem 1 diam. basally, fluted; lvs 3-parted, then winged and 2x divided; infl stalk arises separately, 1-1.25 diam., ca. 6' tall; frts yellow-green, filaments 4-5 long, project beyond frts. Orr, D. 19 Oahu BISH 1994-12-16
51 Tacca leontopetaloides Kona, Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden HUMAN_OBSERVATION Friday, J.B. Hawaii 11/10/2015
52 Tacca leontopetaloides Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden Preserved_Specimen An herb with stems underground. Leaves up to 1 m tall. Inflorescences up to 1.2 m tall. Lau, J. 2601 Oahu BISH 1986-06-30
53 Tacca leontopetaloides East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden, E of Piilanihale Heiau Cultivated area for native plants along margin of Pandanus forest. Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2596 Maui BISH 1987-11-10
54 Tacca leontopetaloides Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden Preserved_Specimen An herb with stems underground. Leaves up to 1 m tall. Inflorescences up to 1.2 m tall. Lau, J. 2601 Oahu BISH 1986-06-30
55 Tacca leontopetaloides Haiku valley Found growing near old mango tree. Preserved_Specimen Davis, R.H. Oahu BISH 1977-04-01
56 Tacca leontopetaloides Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Haleiwa Preserved_Specimen Single-stemmed herb 5' tall; main stem 1 diam. basally, fluted; lvs 3-parted, then winged and 2x divided; infl stalk arises separately, 1-1.25 diam., ca. 6' tall; frts yellow-green, filaments 4-5 long, project beyond frts. Orr, D. 19 Oahu BISH 1994-12-16
57 Tacca leontopetaloides Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Haleiwa Preserved_Specimen Single-stemmed herb 5' tall; main stem 1 diam. basally, fluted; lvs 3-parted, then winged and 2x divided; infl stalk arises separately, 1-1.25 diam., ca. 6' tall; frts yellow-green, filaments 4-5 long, project beyond frts. Orr, D. 19 Oahu BISH 1994-12-16
58 Tacca leontopetaloides Honolulu Grown in garden. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 5556 Oahu BISH 1932-07-12
59 Tacca leontopetaloides East Maui, Mountain back of Hana Preserved_Specimen Flower green, height 3'. Titcomb, M. Maui BISH 1933-08-08
60 Tacca leontopetaloides Wailau and Pelekunu Valleys Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 520 Molokai BISH 1912-09-01
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