‘Uala

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'‘UALA ('‘Uala Maoli’)

Status: Held in Collections

Background information: ‘Uala refers to the sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), and the cane is so named because of the resemblance of its flesh to the flesh of the sweet potato. Spencer reports that another name for this cane is 'Ule‘ohu‘i,' but more often 'Ule‘ohu‘i' is said to be synonymous with a different cane, 'Uluhui.' Moir reports that '‘Uala' is sometimes called 'Pilimai' but also states that the two canes are similar but different. '‘Uala' is reported to be the yellow mutant of '‘Akoki.’ '‘Uala Maoli,’ a name found only in plantation records, means “true or native ‘Uala,” and so it is likely that this name did not exist until there was an introduced '‘Uala' to confuse it with. '‘Uala' is said to thrive in wetter climates, and with the exception of 'Pua‘ole' produces better in Kā‘ū than any other cane.

Identifying of Characteristics: Stalks are green or greenish yellow, often with a splotchy red flush. Bud furrow is typically shallow but extends the length of the internode. Dewlap is narrow and double crescent. Sheath moderately waxy and virtually smooth. '‘Uala may be confused with 'Hōnaunau #2' and 'Lāhainā,' but distinguished by its lack of sheath pubescence, and with 'Uluhui,' but distinguishable by having a much narrower dewlap and fewer root eyes.

Stalk Color

yellow to olive green, flushing pink or dark rose in the sun; wax bloom very sparse to light

Internode

cylindric or slightly conoidal/bobbin; bud furrow shallow, long; wax band narrow, mildly prominent; growth ring typically darker than the stalk, often greenish or olive, tumescent; root band olive green, orangish green, or purplish, 2–3 rows of eyes

Bud

narrow ovate and olive green turning to reddish purple; moderately pubescent, distinct long hairs extending from behind tip; bud wings olive, medium broad, fringed, inserted below the middle of the bud

Leaf

erect, medium length, medium/broad width, module 16:1–20:1, virtually devoid of hairs, most strikingly at the base behind the dewlap where most other Hawaiian canes are moderately hairy, serration is of medium size but well spaced; lower midrib is green but often with yellowing and occasionally a thin yellow stripe down the center; sheath light green with purple splotches, has light to moderate wax and is virtually devoid of hairs; dewlap yellow or light green, occasionally with some purpling, narrow double crescent or ascending ligulate; outer auricle transitional with a light tuft of short hairs; inner auricle poorly developed rounded nub that occurs at least one inch below the dewlap

Flesh

brown with a white core and dark brown ring near the rind, fibers are somewhat brittle, moderately juicy, mildly sweet, mildly watery, mildly acrid, rind is soft and thin

Tassel

open, large, silverish, very slightly rose

Growth

semi-erect, dense, variably sized stalks, of ‘Lahaina’ type

Stalk Color