Pia (Noun)
Meaning
Perennial herb of East Indies to Polynesia and Australia; cultivated for its large edible root yielding Otaheite arrowroot starch.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The pia plant has been a staple crop in Pacific Island cultures for centuries, providing a reliable source of food and commerce.
- In Fiji, pia is considered a delicacy and is often served on special occasions such as weddings and holidays.
- The root of the pia plant can be cooked and eaten like a potato, or dried and ground into a fine powder for use as a thickening agent.
- Pia was first introduced to European colonizers by Polynesian explorers, who brought the plant back to their homelands as a valuable trade commodity.
- In traditional Hawaiian medicine, pia is used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, rheumatism, and digestive disorders.