`Uala

`Uala, native to South America, is commonly known as the Sweet potato plant. There are many varieties of this vine. Other common names include: 'Umala (Samoa), 'Umara (Tahiti), Kuma'a (Marquesas), Kumara (Aotearoa) Satsuma imo (Japan), Ko gu ma (Korea), Ubi keladi (Malaysia), Man thet (Thailand), Khoai lang (Vietnam) and Fan shu (China).

`Uala is a purple-colored spreading vine which makes a great ground cover, soil erosion preventative, or vegetable for the garden. All parts of the plant are edible. The underground tubers come in different sizes and shades of purple, orange and white. The thin stems contain a milky sap. The heart-shaped or triangular lobed leaves can be green or purple in color. The purple flowers are similar to morning glories in shape.

Once planted, `Uala is ready to harvest in 6 to 8 months. It grows best in sunny, moist areas.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• A beer called `uala `awa`awa can be made of the tubers
• Vines were plaited to create soft cushions which were placed under lauhala mats
• Different varieties of `Uala have been used medicinally in combination with other plants
• Leaves poulticed and applied to boils and acne; decoction used to increase platelet count in dengue conditions (Philippines)
• Properties: good source of vitamins A, B, C, iron and calcium