Calocasia esculenta

Araceae

Taro

Large perennial edible herb, 1-2m (3-6 feet) tall. Large basal leaves arise from the corm. Leaves peltate and saagittate to ovate. Leaves and petiole vary in colour.

Uses

Harvest 6-8 months after planting. Tubers can be used baked or boiled and used as a potato substitute. They can also be fried. The young leaves are edible when young if thoroughly boiled. Vegetable.

Culture

Grows most rapidly during the tropical monsoon season under hot, wet conditions. Some varieties require continually damp conditions. Requires good drainage and an acidic, well-aerated soil. New plants are created by division. It has few pest and disease problems. Keep the tubers covered with soil.

Propagation

No information available at this time...

Cultivars

No information available at this time...

Plant Health

No information available at this time...

More info

'Home Vegetable Growing' and 'Commercial Vegetable Production' courses through Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/hort. 'Commercial Hydroponics' on CDROM from Australian Correspondence Schools, see www.acs.edu.au/shop

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