What is "pulaka"

Pulaka, Cyrtosperma merkusii, or swamp taro, is a crop grown in Tuvalu and an important source of carbohydrates for the area's inhabitants. It is a " swamp crop" similar to taro, but "with bigger leaves and larger, coarser roots." The same plant is known as babai in Kiribati, puraka in Cook Islands, pula’a in Samoa, via kan in Fiji, Pulaka in Tokelau, simiden in Chuuk, swam taro in Papua New Guinea, and navia in Vanuatu.

Pulaka roots need to be cooked for hours to reduce toxicity in the corms, but are rich in nutrients, especially calcium. Pulaka is an important part of Tuvalu cultural and culinary tradition, now under threat from rising sea level and displacement from the growing use of imported food products.