'Ape

`Ape is related to and resembles a large taro plant. Its huge heart-shaped leaves point upward unlike the taro whose leaves point towards the earth. The `Ape is native to Malaysia where it is called Chembu. Other names for the plant include: Giant Taro, Jewel Alocasia, Cunjevoi (Australia), Biga (Philippines), Lao hu yu (China) and Ababa (Indonesia).

The shiny green leaves can grow up to 4' long by 2' wide. The leaf stems of the `Ape can reach up to 4 1/2' high. The ringed trunk can rise up to 8' high.

`Ape grows best in slightly moist and shady locations with well composted soil.

Similar to taro, the underground stem and corm is edible but must be cooked for a long length of time to break up the calcium oxalate crystals which can cause injury to the human body if not prepared well.

The Hawaiian proverb:

`Ai no i ka `ape he mane`o no ka nuku.

He who eats `ape is bound to have his mouth itch.

was used in the title of a Hawai'i 5-0 television episode dealing with deadly drugs that aired March 8, 2019.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Tubers used for food in times of need
• Leaves can be used externally for dressing wounds, taking down fevers
• Leaf stalks were used for toothaches (Philippines)
• `Ape was planted at entrance ways to properties to ward off spirits
• The tubers contain alocasin, an anti-fungal protein
• Used to dye ipu (gourds)