Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Alismatales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
esculenta
ID:
918084

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Schott

Source:
wcs

Year:
1832

Citation Micro:
Melet. Bot. : 18 (1832)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000917419

Common Names

  • Colocasia esculenta
  • Esculenta Colocasia
  • Esculenta's Taro

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Description

Colocasia esculenta (also called Taro, among many other common names) is a perennial herb native to Southeast Asia. It has an upright growth habit and grows up to 1 m in height. Its leaves are large and heart-shaped, and its flowers are borne in spikes. It is found in moist, shady forests and is tolerant of low light.

Uses & Benefits

Colocasia esculenta is used as a food crop and for medicinal purposes.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Colocasia esculenta has small, yellowish-green flowers and small, dark-brown seeds. The seedlings are small and have a tuft of white hairs at the base of the stem.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Colocasia esculenta is a tropical plant native to Asia. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Propagation is done through division of the rhizomes or by seed. Seeds should be sown in a moist, well-drained medium at a temperature of 18-20°C (64-68°F).

Where to Find Colocasia esculenta

Colocasia esculenta is native to Southeast Asia and can be found in the tropical rainforests of the region.

Species in the Araceae family

Adelonema erythropus, Adelonema allenii, Adelonema crinipes, Adelonema hammelii, Adelonema kvistii, Adelonema mofflerianum, Adelonema orientale, Adelonema pallidinervium, Adelonema panamense, Adelonema peltatum, Adelonema picturatum, Adelonema roezlii, Adelonema speariae, Adelonema wallisii, Adelonema wendlandii, Adelonema yanamonoense, Aglaodorum griffithii, Aglaonema brevispathum, Aglaonema chermsiriwattanae, Aglaonema cochinchinense, Aglaonema commutatum, Aglaonema cordifolium, Aglaonema costatum, Aglaonema densinervium, Aglaonema flemingianum, Aglaonema hookerianum, Aglaonema marantifolium, Aglaonema modestum, Aglaonema nebulosum, Aglaonema nitidum, Aglaonema ovatum, Aglaonema philippinense, Aglaonema pictum, Aglaonema pumilum, Aglaonema rotunda, Aglaonema simplex, Aglaonema tricolor, Aglaonema vittatum, Aglaonema robeleynii, Aglaonema birmanicum, Aglaonema nicobaricum, Aglaonema tassae, Alloschemone inopinata, Alloschemone occidentalis, Alocasia megawatiae, Alocasia chaii, Alocasia infernalis, Alocasia nycteris, Alocasia hypoleuca, Alocasia jiewhoei,

References

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Heinrich Wilhelm Schott (1794-1865): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Schott' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1170772-2: Based on the WCVP April 2023 data release.