Blade orientation Is the tip of the leaf blade pointing upwards, horizontally, or downwards?
Leaf cupping (‘apu) Are the leaf blades flat or cup-shaped?
Sinus (mahae) cut to piko? The sinus is the indentation at the base of the leaf blade. The Piko varieties characteristically have the leaf blade split to the point of attachment of the petiole, or leaf stalk (the piko).
Primary blade color The color of the leaf blade is highly variable, and can depend on the growing conditions and health of the taro. Wild varieties tend to lose their pigmentation due to the lack of direct sunlight as they the typically grow along shaded streams and in forested areas (Handy & Handy, 1940).
Mottled blade (variegation)? Some varieties of taro have leaf blades of more than one color, and have a mottled or spotted appearance. This is referred to as variegation.
Piko color The color of the piko, the point of junction between the leaf blade and petiole, on the upper surface of the leaf blade can often have a distinctive pink, purple, red, or brown color. Be sure to look at mature leaves, as piko color can be different for the first leaves developed.
Lower surface vein (a‘a lau) color The color of the veins on the lower surface of the leaf blade can be distinctively colored in a v- or y- pattern radiating from the piko, all be red-purple in color, or can be green to white in color.
Leaf margin vein (ka‘e lau) color The leaf margin vein is located on the edge of the leaf blade. This can be either red-purple or yellow-green in color.
Margin (ka‘e lau) undulation The margin of the leaf can be either entire (continuous) or undulate (wavy).
Dimensions Click here for more information on how to determine the leaf blade dimensions.
Blade shape Leaf blade shape can be highly variable, and often difficult to determine. Sagittate leaf blades are arrow-head shaped with the lobes turning inwards (rather than outwards). Ovate leaf blades are more rounded than sagittate leaf blades.
