Colocasia Esculenta or Simply Taro.

In Hawaii, the extraordinary value of Taro is manifest in its numerous important roles: as a staple food, as a figure of legend and as a symbol of cultural identity.

The Taro, or Imperial Taro, or Colocasia Esculenta, or Antiquorum, is considered a "sacred' plant in the Island of Hawaii. It is also not just food, nor is it a whimsical subject that's painted by Hawaii's beloved artists, nor captured by photographers like myself. Taro is important to the Hawaiians, that's why the drive to preserve and promote Taro cultivation, partially fuelled by Hawaiian mythic tradition. According to Hawaiian legend, Taro has divine origins. The first child of two gods, Wakea and Ho'ohokukalani, was stillborn. Following his burial, the baby's body transformed into the first Taro plant. The second son of the gods, called Haloa, is said to be the father of all native Hawaiians. Taro, then, is a progenitor of native Hawaiian culture in its own right, an ancient crop that is quite literally part of the Hawaiian people.

The Taro has been one of my fascinations, ever since i came to the Islands. I consider it very much a favorite 'subject', as a photographer artist. Surely, it is an elegant plant and very exotic, a herbaceous perennial. The leaf blades may be green, purple or mottled. The leaf stems (petioles) may be green, reddish, black or variegated. The top of the leaf stem is bent so the leaf tips point down. Nearly 300 forms of Hawaiian taro have been recorded, with differences were based on size, shape, color of leaf and stem, and flowers. The flowers are small and clustered on fleshy tubular spike with sterile at tip and middle, fertile male between and female below.

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in Taro's nutritional and cultural value. worldwide. Food global production has had some unexpected negative effects on health. Diseases formerly associated with the diets of wealthier, developed regions—diets high in processed foods and often low in diversity—have grown in prevalence in developing countries. The Pacific region is not exempted on this trend, with diabetes and obesity, in particular, affecting increasing numbers of people. The reintroduction of Taro and other nutritious traditional foods has been hailed as a potential solution to the region's worsening health.

Taro functions primarily as a food source. Practically the entire plant is edible. The leaves are cooked and eaten like spinach. The stems are placed inside laulaus to keep the meat moist. 

Occasionally Taro was substituted for fish offerings at various shrines. Medicinally the raw corm shavings were mixed with other plants and the juice was ingested to treat constipation and indigestion. The raw leaf stems were used to relieve the pain and prevent swelling from insect stings and bites and the leaves were used to treat asthma.

Taro leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals, and a good source of thiamin, riboflavin, iron, phosphorus, and zinc, and a very good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, niacin, potassium, copper, and manganese. 

Nowadays Taro products are available in all large American supermarkets. These include Taro chips, Taro bread, Poi, cheesecake, Taro pan, Taro English muffins and Kulolo. Taro is also highly digestible and is bottled as baby food. Although as consumers, we lack the history and culture to appreciate this amazing plant, we can appreciate the delicious products made possible by Taro.

As for me, i plan to enjoy my little green romance and continue to 'immortalize' her loveliness and character, as long as she allows me. I've been very fortunate to be noticed by Hawaii's fashion icon lady Mamo Howell, who by special arrangement, has printed "My Taro Heart" in fabric. The new clothesline will debut the fashion market anytime. Now you know, that Taro has actually 'loved' on me.