The particular species used for ipu is Lagenaria siceraria. All the decendants of the original polynesian introduction have been extirpated (the original Hawai'ian variety is extinct). The ipu used for hula and arts in Hawai'i today is imported. A single parasitic species (fungus or animal?) is believed to be responsible for the extinction of the Hawai'ian variety. This parasite is the reason why Lagenaria siceraria is very hard to find in Hawai'i.