Poa vs. Poi — What's the Difference?

Poa is a genus of about 500 species of grasses, native to the temperate regions of both hemispheres. Common names include meadow-grass (mainly in Europe and Asia), bluegrass (mainly in North America), tussock (some New Zealand species), and speargrass.

A Hawaiian food made from the corm of the taro that is cooked, pounded to a paste, and fermented.

Any grass of the genus Poa, especially Poa annua.

A traditional Maori performance art in which one swings in each hand a rope with a ball at the end, usually in specific, complex patterns.

A genus of grasses, including a great number of species, as the kinds called meadow grass, Kentucky blue grass, June grass, and spear grass (which see).

(Hawaii) The traditional staple food of Hawaii, made by baking and pounding the kalo (or taro) root, and reducing it to a thin paste, which is allowed to ferment.

Chiefly perennial grasses of cool temperate regions

A creamy Samoan dessert of ripe bananas mashed with coconut cream.

(New Zealand) A small ball made of leaves and fibres, attached to a string.

(New Zealand) A traditional dance performed by Maori women involving the rhythmic swinging of such a ball.

A national food of the Hawaiians, made by baking and pounding the kalo (or taro) root, and reducing it to a thin paste, which is allowed to ferment.

Hawaiian dish of taro root pounded to a paste and often allowed to ferment