Colocasia
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Colocasia is a genus of six to eight species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical Polynesia and southeastern Asia (Wagner, Herbst, and Sohmer, 1999). Common names include Taro, and colloquially, "Elephant-ear", this name also used for some other large-leaved genera in the Araceae, notably Xanthosoma and Caladium.
They are herbaceous perennial plants with a large rhizome on or just below the ground surface. The leaves are large to very large, 20-150 cm long, with a sagittate shape.
- Species
- Colocasia affinis (syn. C. marshallii)
- Colocasia bicolor
- Colocasia coryli
- Colocasia esculenta (syn. C. antiquorum) - Taro or Elephant-ear
- Colocasia gigantea - Giant Taro
- Colocasia lihengiae
- Colocasia macrorrhiza
- Colocasia menglaensis
Cultivation and uses
Colocasia esculenta and other members of the genus, are cultivated for their edible tubers, a traditional starch staple in many tropical areas. They are grown outside year-round in subtropical and tropical areas. In temperate regions, they are grown as ornamental plants, planted out for the summer and dug up and stored over winter; they can be grown in almost any temperature zone as long as the summer is warm. The plant can be grown in the ground or in large containers.
The root tuber is typically planted close to the surface. The first signs of growth will appear in 1 to 3 weeks. The adult plant will need a minimum of at least 1 m of space for good growth. They do best in compost-rich soil and in shade, but will grow reasonably well in average soil provided it is moisture-retentive. The plants should not be left to go dry for too long; if this does happen, the leaves will wilt; watering will allow the plant to recover if done before they get too dry. Periodic fertilisation (every 3 to 4 weeks) with a common plant fertiliser will increase yields.
Growth is best at temperatures between 20 °C to 30 °C. The plants can be damaged if temperatures fall below 10 °C for more than a few days. When cultivated in climates with colder winters, the tuber must be dug up and stored during the colder, winter months in a cool, dry, place protected from frost and with good ventilation to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Replanting in spring is done when the chance of frost has passed.
References
- Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai‘i. Revised edition. Vol. 2. University of Hawai‘i Press/Bishop Museum Press. p. 1357.
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