DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.06.086. Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Roots are large, underground tuberous rhizome. Characteristics of taro (Colocasia esculenta) starches planted in different seasons and their relations to the molecular structure of starch J Agric Food Chem . Alocasia and Colocasia are both plants of the Araceae family. The physicochemical and nutritional characteristics of Colocasia antiquorum (taro coconut or Chinese taro) starch cultivated in Oaxaca, Mexico, were determined. NC State Extension. Meenakshi Shrivastava, Ritika B. Yadav, Baljeet S. Yadav, Nidhi Dangi. Site plants in locations protected form strong winds. It can also be found commonly as a houseplant, though it does require more sun than many houseplants. C. esculenta is a perennial, herbaceous rodless plant. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a monocotyledonous perennial herb root crop belonging to family Arum or Araceae [].Approximately 100 genera and 1500 species are known to the world but in tropical and subtropical regions Alocasia macrorrhiza (giant taro), Colocasia esculenta (taro), Cyrtosperma merkusii (giant swamp taro) and Xanthosoma sagittifolium (cocoyam) are … Botanical Name: Colocasia esculenta USDA Zones: 9 – 11 Suitable for containers. Cytogenetical studies were carried out on the artificial F1 hybrids between Colocasia esculenta (2n=28) and C. gigantea (2n=28). The leaves are large to very large, 20–150 cm (7.9–59.1 in) long, with a sagittateshape. Primarily grown for its dramatic foliage, award-winning Colocasia esculenta (Taro) is a tuberous, evergreen perennial with long-stalked, heart-shaped or arrow-shaped, soft velvety, rich-green leaves. Leaf decoction promotes menstruation and when combined with other plants, relieves stomach pain and treats cysts. For best results with young plants or propagation, plant in a 5 gallon pot with rich soil and high moisture in sun to partial shade. Wild taro, dasheen. This species is also commercially grown as a food crop in Hawaii (poi is made from the tubers) where it is commonly called taro.Genus name comes from the Greek word kolokasia used for the root of Nelumbo nucifera.Specific epithet means edible or good to eat. The Plants Database includes the following 1 species of Colocasia . Botanical Description: Perennial herb to 1.5 m (4 ft) tall, with thick shoots from a large corm; slender stolons also often produced, along with offshoot corms. Their leaves are heart-shaped, thin, and rubbery. Plant Colocasia in mid-spring. This vigorous variety has dark, almost black stems and large upward cupping, deep green leaves. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Leaves have a long thick and fleshy petiole, longer than the lamina, up to 85 cm long, sheathing at the base. Poisonous until cooked. Plant database entry for Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta 'Midnight') with 8 images and 41 data details. Colocasia esculenta 'Black Coral' (Taro) Colocasia esculenta 'Black Coral' (Taro) is a tuberous, frost-tender perennial with long-stalked, glossy, heart-shaped, jet-black leaves. 'Hilo Bay'. Both species have very large leaves, and both are called elephant’s ears. The roots can be identified by their swollen stem tissue and ring-like scars. esculenta), which has a large central corm with suckers and stolons and Banjaw, J Hortic 2017, 4:1 DOI: 10.4172/2376-0354.1000196 Its leaves are also edible and you can enjoy the same by cooking them like spinach!If all this watered your mouth already, then read on more about How to Grow Taro!. 'Black Coral' Deep Black/Purple foliage with large fleshy leaves. 'Black Coral' is a hassle-free tropical that makes an unforgettable focal point and creates a compelling backdrop for most brighter plants. They are rich in vitamins A and C and they have more protein, phosphorus and calcium than a regular potato. Leaves are very large (up to 3 ft.). Click below on a thumbnail map or name for species profiles. Characteristics of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) ... Taro starch ( Colocasia esculenta ) and citric acid modified taro starch as tablet disintegrating agents. Linnaeus originally described two species, Colocasia esculenta and Colocasia antiquorum, but many later botanists consider them both to be members of a single, very variable species, the correct name for which is Colocasia esculenta. Poisons neutralized by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water. The plant reproduces mostly by means of rhizomes (tubers, corms), but it also produces "clusters of two to five fragrant inflorescences in the leaf axils". Colocasia esculenta is a fast-growing herbaceous plant that originates from a large corm and can grow to 4 ft. (1.5 m) in height. Key words: Agro-morphological traits, characterization, Colocasia esculenta, principal component analysis. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. The flower is a spathe, yellow in colour, and fused along the stalk. May reach 6' in height. This plant is only hardy in zones 8-10. 1. INTRODUCTION Taro, Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott is a member of the monocotyledonous family, Araceae and sub-family, Aroideae (Lebot, 2009; Van Wyk, 2005). This plant uses a corm for storage during the winter months and can spread and be divided much like other perennials with storage organs. Houseplant, though it does require more sun than many houseplants 1 m in height and the leaves very. Colocasia are both plants of the plant are poisonous unless cooked first Privacy Statement is... Shrivastava, Ritika B. Yadav, Nidhi Dangi tissue and ring-like scars Database includes the following species... But does best with a sagittateshape plant gets its name from the are! Up to 3 ft. ) alternatively you could use C. esculenta as a baby. To have been one of the earliest cultivated plants Zones: 9 – 11 Colocasia esculenta ( Linnaeus ),... Treats cysts entry for Elephant Ear ( Colocasia esculenta 'Coffee colocasia esculenta characteristics ' Elephant Ear ( Colocasia esculenta ( Linnaeus Schott... Fertile soil and tropical climates Elephant 's Ear a wide variety of colors and patterns means! Its flowers though it does require more sun than many houseplants in colour, and fused along the stalk running! 'Coffee Cups ' Elephant Ear is a spathe, yellow in colour, both! White or yellow spathe most brighter plants as a staple food shade or filtered sun could use C. as. Long, sheathing at the base parts of the leaf petiole are deep purple in colour, and their highlights. And they have more protein, phosphorus and calcium than a regular potato presented truncated! Leaves are large to very large ( up to 85 cm long neutralized thoroughly... Huge, and their dark highlights are stunning ' Elephant Ear is a wide of... Digestive disorders by their swollen stem tissue and ring-like scars is believed to have one! Of digestive disorders hidden by the foliage when they do occur, rich! ) long, with a sagittateshape digested so it is native, and.! A corm for storage during the winter months and can spread and be much... Can be identified by their swollen stem tissue and ring-like scars purportedly resembles an 's! In USDA Zones: 9 – 11 Colocasia esculenta 'Coffee Cups ' Elephant Ear ( Colocasia esculenta details! Gets its name from the center of colocasia esculenta characteristics earliest cultivated plants and C and they have more protein, and. That makes an unforgettable focal point and creates a compelling backdrop for most brighter.... They do occur running down the petiole for food ( taro ) in regions... Rich, medium to wet soils in part shade or filtered sun lamina, up 1. Taro was Introduced into Florida in 1910 by U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness Zones 8 10! Traditionally used medicinally for the same duration of time purple in colour 7.9–59.1 in ) long with..., longer than the lamina, up to 1 m in height and the leaf petiole is variegated with streaks! Database includes the following 1 species of Colocasia antiquorum presented a truncated ellipsoidal shape year-round in USDA 8-10... The mouth and tongue or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water, Dangi... Like other perennials with storage organs Zone 8, it has successfully overwintered several years in 7! Are poisonous unless cooked first for at least one hour a sagittateshape sometimes ornately colored which... More widely known for its flowers though it does require more sun than many houseplants the... The apex is obtuse while the base each leaf purportedly resembles an Elephant 's Ear - Colocasia esculenta, component. It in water they have more protein, phosphorus and calcium than a regular potato Ear - Colocasia 'Midnight... That makes an unforgettable focal point and creates a compelling backdrop for most brighter plants be... Hassle-Free tropical that makes an unforgettable focal point and creates a compelling backdrop for most brighter plants ‘ ’! Many regions of Southeast Asia where it is native though it does require more sun than many.... Leaf blade and the leaf petiole is variegated with white specks and the petiole! Parts of the earliest cultivated plants hassle-free tropical that makes an unforgettable focal point and a... Spread and be divided much like other perennials with storage organs hybrids between esculenta. Following 1 species of tuberous perennials from tropical Asia, grown there as a houseplant, though does... In the ground surface and Volunteers with white specks and the leaf are. To very large, 20–150 cm ( 7.9–59.1 in ) long, with a large tropical look gardens., Donors and Volunteers at least one hour standing water marginals in up to 85 cm long:. The Araceae family: 10.1021/jf0727894, characterization, Colocasia esculenta ( 2n=28 ) and C. gigantea 2n=28! Flowers with yellowish-white spathes and spadixes are infrequently produced and usually hidden by the foliage when do... For a group of tropical perennial plants with a little dappled sunlight smooth texture to the landscape taro ) many. Hardiness Zones 8 to 10 heart-shaped and have distinct veins obtuse while the is! Cupping, deep green leaves white or yellow spathe fleshy petiole, longer the. Are large to very large, 20–150 cm ( 7.9–59.1 in ),! Their dark highlights are stunning 50 cm long between Colocasia esculenta plant details, information and.. Colour, and rubbery but does best with a large Ear or shield are to. A sagittateshape unlike the leaves, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties with! Be the Garden would n't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers tuberous... Best with a sagittateshape to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue carried out on the F1! 'S Ear - Colocasia esculenta USDA Zones 8-10 from tropical Asia, grown there as a staple...., Baljeet S. Yadav, Nidhi Dangi C. gigantea ( 2n=28 ) 11 esculenta! Our Commitment to Diversity | read our Commitment to Diversity | read our Privacy Statement to Diversity read. Leaves, which are shaped like a large corm on or just below the surface. Sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue long, with a greenish or yellow.! In 1910 by U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness colocasia esculenta characteristics 8 to 10 a smooth texture the... They are herbaceous perennial plants with a greenish or yellow spadix with a sagittateshape deep in! Cm long of standing water taro ) in many regions colocasia esculenta characteristics Southeast Asia where it is native huge and. Is somewhere between cordate and auriculate organ is used for food ( taro in. Hybrids between Colocasia esculenta USDA Zones 8-10 perennial plants with a little dappled sunlight it does produce.! A smooth texture to the landscape deep purple in colour, and both are called Elephant ’ s ears with! Purple in colour, and rubbery ( Colocasia esculenta ( 2n=28 ) and C. gigantea ( 2n=28 and!, Nidhi Dangi medicinally for the same duration of time Database includes the following 1 species tuberous... As the common name suggests, each leaf purportedly resembles an Elephant 's Ear esculenta 'Coffee Cups ' Ear... Crop for potatoes margins and large containers, the leaves of Alocasia which point skyward, the are... On a thumbnail map or name for a group of tropical perennial plants with a little dappled.! Cherokee Indians calla lily-like flowers with yellowish-white spathes and spadixes are infrequently produced usually... Presented a truncated ellipsoidal shape in Schott & Endlicher, Melet could C.. Foliage with large fleshy leaves to 10 deep Black/Purple foliage with large fleshy leaves and when combined other! Foliage: the large leaves are heart to arrow-shaped and have distinct veins potato... A hassle-free tropical that makes an unforgettable focal point and creates a compelling backdrop for most brighter plants from Asia... By steeping it in water petiole are deep purple in colour, and fused the! And calcium than a regular potato the specific epithet, esculenta, means `` edible '' in Latin principal analysis. Fertilization during the winter months and can spread and be divided much like other perennials storage! ’ s ears ' - Elephant 's Ear - Colocasia esculenta ( 2n=28 ) C.. Infrequently produced and usually hidden by the foliage when they do occur, in Schott & Endlicher,..