Oene (Owene Ulaula, Owene)
General characteristics: Short to medium in height, moderately spreading, maturing within 9 to 12 months, producing from 6 to 15 oha; distinguished by the lilac-purple flecked petioles which are almost lacking in green and fairly numerous oha.
Petiole: 60 to 75 cm long, light lilac-purple flecked, almost lacking in green, a dark pink ring at base with lighter pink for 3 to 5 cm above.
Leaf blade: 35 to 45 cm long, 25 to 30 cm wide, 25 to 35 cm from tip to base of sinus, ovate, dark green; piko purple; lobes obtuse with wide sinus.
Corm: Flesh white with light pinkish tinge, especially near apex; skin dark pink.
Origin, and derivation of name: Native variety; the derivation of the name is unknown.
Distribution: This variety is rare at the present time, being grown only by a few Hawaiians who keep collections of Hawaiian varieties as a hobby. It is a wild taro which used to grow fairly abundantly in open woodlands, with little care, but was seldom raised under cultivation.
Use: Not used for food at the present time.
Remarks: This variety, having the smallest corm of all the taros, was used only when other food supplies failed.
Taken from “Taro Varieties in Hawaii” Bulletin 84 by CTAHR
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