View source for Biology:Taro

{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{speciesbox
|image = Songe-Réunion.JPG
|genus = Colocasia
|species = esculenta
|authority = ([[Biography:Carl Linnaeus|L]].) [[Biography:Heinrich Wilhelm Schott|Schott]]
|synonyms =
    {{Plainlist | style = margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; |
* ''Alocasia dussii'' <small>Dammer</small>
* ''Alocasia illustris'' <small>W.Bull</small>
* ''Aron colocasium'' <small>(L.) St.-Lag.</small>
* ''Arum chinense'' <small>L.</small>
* ''Arum colocasia'' <small>L.</small>
* ''Arum colocasioides'' <small>Desf.</small>
* ''Arum esculentum'' <small>L.</small>
* ''Arum lividum'' <small>Salisb.</small>
* ''Arum nymphaeifolium'' <small>(Vent.) Roxb.</small>
* ''Arum peltatum'' <small>Lam.</small>
* ''Caladium acre'' <small>R.Br.</small>
* ''Caladium colocasia'' <small>(L.) W.Wight</small> nom. illeg.
* ''Caladium colocasioides'' <small>(Desf.) Brongn.</small>
* ''Caladium esculentum'' <small>(L.) Vent.</small>
* ''Caladium glycyrrhizum.'' <small>Fraser</small>
* ''Caladium nymphaeifolium'' <small>Vent.</small>
* ''Caladium violaceum'' <small>Desf.</small>
* ''Caladium violaceum'' <small>Engl.</small>
* ''Calla gaby'' <small>Blanco</small>
* ''Calla virosa'' <small>Roxb.</small>
* ''Colocasia acris'' <small>(R.Br.) Schott</small>
* ''Colocasia aegyptiaca'' <small>Samp.</small>
* ''Colocasia colocasia'' <small>(L.) Huth</small> nom. inval.
* ''Colocasia euchlora'' <small>K.Koch & Linden</small>
* ''Colocasia fonstanesii'' <small>Schott</small>
* ''Colocasia gracilis'' <small>Engl.</small>
* ''Colocasia himalensis'' <small>Royle</small>
* ''Colocasia neocaledonica'' <small>Van Houtte</small>
* ''Colocasia nymphaeifolia'' <small>(Vent.) Kunth</small>
* ''Colocasia peltata'' <small>(Lam.) Samp.</small>
* ''Colocasia vera'' <small>Hassk.</small>
* ''Colocasia violacea'' <small>(Desf.) auct.</small>
* ''Colocasia virosa'' <small>(Roxb.) Kunth</small>
* ''Colocasia vulgaris'' <small>Raf.</small>
* ''Leucocasia esculenta'' <small>(L.) Nakai</small>
* ''Steudnera virosa'' <small>(Roxb.) Prain</small>
* ''Zantedeschia virosa'' <small>(Roxb.) K.Koch</small>
    }}
|synonyms_ref = <ref name="Lim2014">{{cite book|author=T. K. Lim|title=Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants: Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t22vBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA454|date=3 December 2014|publisher=Springer|pages= 454–460|isbn=978-94-017-9511-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=1170772-2 |title=Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott|access-date=15 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="Quattrocchi2016">{{cite book|author=Umberto Quattrocchi|title=CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-37OBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1060|date=19 April 2016|publisher=CRC Press|pages=1060–1061 |isbn=978-1-4822-5064-0}}</ref>
}}

'''Taro''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɑːr|oʊ|,_|ˈ|t|ær|-}}; '''''Colocasia esculenta''''') is a [[Biology:Root vegetable|root vegetable]]. It is the most widely cultivated species of several plants in the family [[Biology:Araceae|Araceae]] that are used as vegetables for their [[Biology:Corm|corms]], leaves, stems and [[Biology:Petiole (botany)|petioles]]. Taro corms are a food staple in African, [[Earth:Oceania|Oceanic]], [[Place:East Asia|East Asia]]n, [[Place:Southeast Asia|Southeast Asia]]n and [[Place:South Asia|South Asia]]n cultures (similar to [[Biology:Yam (vegetable)|yams]]). Taro is believed to be one of the earliest cultivated plants.

{{toclimit}}

== Common names ==
The English term ''taro'' was borrowed from the Māori language when Captain Cook first observed ''Colocasia'' plantations in [[Earth:New Zealand|New Zealand]] in 1769. The form ''taro'' or ''talo'' is widespread among Polynesian languages:<ref name="pollex">[https://pollex.shh.mpg.de/entry/talo1/ *''talo'': taro (''Colocasia esculenta'')] – entry in the ''Polynesian Lexicon Project Online'' (Pollex).</ref>  {{wikt-lang|ty|taro}} in [[Social:Tahitian language|Tahitian]];  {{wikt-lang|sm|talo}} in [[Social:Samoan language|Samoan]] and [[Social:Tongan language|Tongan]]; {{wikt-lang|haw|kalo}} in [[Social:Hawaiian language|Hawaiian]]; ''ta{{okina}}o'' in Marquesan. All these forms originate from [[Social:Proto-Polynesian|Proto-Polynesian]] *''talo'',<ref name="pollex" /> which itself descended from Proto-Oceanic *''talos'' (cf. {{wikt-lang|fj|dalo}} in Fijian) and [[Social:Proto-Austronesian|Proto-Austronesian]] *''tales'' (cf. {{wikt-lang|jv-Latn|tales|tales}} in [[Social:Javanese language|Javanese]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://acd.clld.org/cognatesets/30390#2/-10.7/151.0|title=*''tales'': taro: ''Colocasia esculenta''|last1=Blust|first1=Robert|last2=Trussel|first2=Stephen|website=Austronesian Comparative Dictionary|date=2010|publisher=Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology|access-date=January 30, 2023}}</ref> However, irregularity in sound correspondences among the cognate forms in Austronesian suggests that the term may have been borrowed and spread from an [[Social:Austroasiatic languages|Austroasiatic]] language perhaps in Borneo (cf. [[Social:Proto-Austroasiatic language|proto-Mon-Khmer]] *''t<sub>2</sub>rawʔ'', Khasi {{lang|kha|shriew}}, Khmu ''sroʔ, proto-Vietic *s-roːʔ'').<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blench|first=Roger|author-link=Roger Blench|date=2009|title=Vernacular Names for Taro in the Indo-Pacific Region and Their Possible Implications for Centres of Diversification and Spread|url=http://www.rogerblench.info/Language/SEA/taro%20vernacular%20names%20SE%20Asia.pdf|access-date=}}</ref>

In the [[Social:Odia language|Odia language]] (widely used in the Odisha region<ref name=garo2021/> of India), it is called {{transl|or|ISO|sāru}} ({{lang|or|ସାରୁ}}).<ref name=garo2021>{{cite web |url=https://www.goya.in/blog/saru-patra-tarkari-a-classic-odia-dish-using-colocasia-leaves |title=Saru Patra Tarkari: A Classic Odia Dish Using Colocasia Leaves |publisher=Goya |date=13 August 2021 |access-date=12 November 2022}}</ref>

In Cyprus, Colocasia has been in use since the Roman Empire. Today it is known as {{lang|el-Latn|kolokasi}} ({{lang|el|Kολοκάσι}}). It is usually fried or cooked with corn, pork, or chicken, in a tomato sauce in casserole. "Baby" kolokasi is called "poulles": after being fried dry, red wine and coriander seed are added, and then it is served with freshly squeezed lemon. Lately, some restaurants have begun serving thin slices of kolokasi deep fried, calling them "kolokasi chips".

{|class="wikitable"
|+Names for taro
! Name !! Language
|-
|-
| {{lang|tl|gabi}} || [[Social:Tagalog language|Tagalog]]
|-
| {{lang|bcl|natong}}/{{lang|bcl|apay}} || Bikolano<ref>natong. Mintz, Malcolm W. Bikol Dictionary. Volume II. Bikol-English Dictionary. Uniprint. Perth, Western Australia. 2004. p. 752 ISBN 0 9580383 5 X.</ref>
|-
| {{lang|ig|ede}} || [[Social:Igbo language|Igbo]]
|-
| {{lang|sw|jimbi}}
| [[Social:Swahili language|Swahili]]
|-
| {{lang|yo|kókò/lámbó}}
| [[Social:Yoruba language|Yoruba]]
|-
| {{transl|as|ISO|kacu}} ({{lang|as|কচু}}) || [[Social:Assamese language|Assamese]]
|-
| {{transl|bn|ISO|kacu}} ({{lang|bn|কচু}}) || [[Social:Bengali language|Bengali]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott - Names of Plants in India|url=https://sites.google.com/site/indiannamesofplants/via-species/c/colocasia-esculenta|website=sites.google.com|access-date=}}</ref>
|-
| {{transl|inc|ISO|kacu}} ({{lang|inc|কচু}})
| Kamtapuri/Rajbongshi/Rangpuri
|-
| {{transl|el|kolokasi}} ({{lang|el-CY|Kολοκάσι}}) ||  Cypriot Greek
|-
| {{transl|kn|ISO|kēsave}} ({{lang|kn|ಕೇಸವೆ}}) || [[Social:Kannada|Kannada]]
|-
| {{transl|ar|qulqas}} ({{lang|ar|قلقاس}})
| [[Social:Arabic language|Arabic]]
|-
| {{lang|ak|kontomire}}
| Akan
|-
| {{transl|si|ISO|kiri aḷa}} ({{lang|si|කිරි අළ}})
| [[Social:Sinhala language|Sinhala]]
|-
| {{transl|hi|ISO|arbī}} ({{lang|hi|अरबी}}) || Hindi
|-
| {{transl|pa|ISO|arvi}} ({{lang|pa|ਅਰਵੀ}}) || [[Social:Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
|-
| {{transl|bh|ISO|aruī}} ({{lang|bh|अरुई}}) || Bhojpuri
|-
| {{transl|inc|ISO|arikanchan}} ({{lang|inc-Deva|अरिकञ्चन}})
| [[Social:Maithili language|Maithili]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Shailee |date=2021-11-08 |title=अरीकंचन की सब्जी {{!}} Traditional Mithila Curry Recipe |url=https://candidtreat.com/arikanchan-leaf-curry-arabi-leaf-curry/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=CandidTreat |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| {{transl|gu|ISO|aḷavī}} ({{lang|gu|અળવી}})
| [[Social:Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
|-
| {{transl|mr|ISO|āḷū}} ({{lang|mr|आळू}}) || [[Social:Marathi language|Marathi]]
|-
| {{lang|dv-Latn|ala}} ({{lang|dv|އަލަ}})
| Dhivehi
|-
| {{lang|ilo|aba}} || Ilocano
|-
| {{transl|or|ISO|sāru}} ({{lang|or|ସାରୁ}}) || Odia
|-
| {{transl|ne|ISO|piḍālu}} ({{lang|ne|पिडालु}}) || [[Social:Nepali language|Nepali]]
|-
| {{transl|ta|ISO|cēmpu}} ({{lang|ta|சேம்பு}}) 
| Tamil
|-
| {{transl|ml|ISO|cēmpŭ}} ({{lang|ml|ചേമ്പ്}}) || [[Social:Malayalam|Malayalam]]
|-
| {{transl|te|ISO|cāma}} ({{lang|te|చామ}}) || [[Social:Telugu language|Telugu]]
|-
|(khoai) sọ
|[[Social:Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]
|-
| {{transl|kok|ISO|vēnṭī}} ({{lang|kok|वेंटी}}) || [[Social:Konkani language|Konkani]]
|-
| {{transl|mni|yendem}} ({{lang|mni|ꯌꯦꯟꯗꯦꯝ}}) || [[Social:Meitei language|Meitei/Manipuri]]
|-
| {{lang|zh|芋}} (yù)/{{lang|zh|芋頭}} (yùtou) || [[Social:Chinese language|Chinese]]
|-
| {{lang|nan-TW|芋}} ({{lang-zh|poj=ō͘|labels=no}}/{{lang-zh|poj=ū|labels=no}}) or {{lang|nan-TW|芋仔}} ({{lang-zh|poj=ō͘-á|labels=no}}) || Taiwanese Hokkien<ref>{{Cite web|title=臺灣閩南語常用詞辭典|url=https://twblg.dict.edu.tw/holodict_new/|access-date=|website=|author=((Ministry of Education, R.O.C.))}}</ref>
|-
| {{lang|pwn|vasa}} || Paiwan<ref>{{cite web |title=vasa |url=https://e-dictionary.apc.gov.tw/pwn/terms/193611.htm |website=原住民族語言線上詞典 |publisher=Council of Indigenous Peoples |access-date=1 January 2021 |language=zh}}</ref>
|-
| {{lang|ami|tali}} || Amis<ref>{{cite web |title=tali |url=https://e-dictionary.apc.gov.tw/ami/terms/256142.htm |website=原住民族語言線上詞典 |publisher=Council of Indigenous Peoples |access-date=1 January 2021 |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Fey |first1=Virginia |title=Amis Dictionary |year=2018 |publisher=The Bible Society in Taiwan |isbn= |url=https://amis.moedict.tw/#~tali |access-date=1 January 2021}}</ref>
|-
| {{lang|nl-SR|Chinese tayer}}
| Surinamese Dutch
|-
| {{lang|mg|saonjo}}
| Malagasy
|-
| {{transl|ko|toran}} ({{lang|ko|토란}})
| [[Social:Korean language|Korean]]
|-
| {{transl|bxk|tolotolo}}
| Bukusu
|-
| {{transl|th|pheuak}}, {{transl|th|puak}} ({{lang|th|เผือก}})
| [[Social:Thai language|Thai]]
|-
| {{transl|lo|pheuak}}, {{transl|lo|puak}} ({{lang|lo|ເຜືອກ}})
| [[Social:Lao language|Lao]]
|}


Other names include {{lang|zu|amadumbe}} or ''madumbi'' in the [[Biography:Zulu language|Zulu language]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://taste.co.za/glossary/madumbi/ |title=Madumbi |publisher=Taste |access-date=12 November 2022}}</ref> ''boina'' in the Wolaita language of Ethiopia, or {{lang|rw|amateke}} in Kirundi and Kinyarwanda.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kinyarwanda.net/index.php?q=taro |title=iteke (ama-) |publisher=Kinyarwanda |access-date=12 November 2022}}</ref> In Tanzania, it is called ''magimbi'' in the [[Social:Swahili language|Swahili language]]. In {{wipe|Madagascar}}, it is known as ''saonjo''; it is called ''eddo'' in Liberia. 

In the Caribbean and [[Place:West Indies|West Indies]], taro is known as ''dasheen'' in Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines<ref name="LaSir2023">{{cite web |last1=LaSur |first1=Lee Yan |title=St Vincent Dasheen exporters receive post-harvest management training |url=https://www.stvincenttimes.com/fao-conducts-training-on-dasheen-post-harvest-handling-svg/ |website=St Vincent Times. |access-date=12 October 2023 |location=St Vincent |date=12 October 2023}}</ref> and Jamaica.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/ETD-UT-/GHOSH-DASTIDAR-MASTERS-REPORT.pdf?sequence=2|title=Colocasia esculenta: An account of its ethnobotany and potentials|last1=Dastidar|first1=Sayantani Ghosh|date=December 2009|publisher=The [[Organization:University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas at Austin]]|access-date=25 August 2017}}</ref>{{rp|23}} The leaves are known as ''aruiya ke bhaji'' by Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 November 2020 |title=Trinidad Bhagi |url=https://cookingwithria.com/2020/11/trinidad-bhagi.html}}</ref> 

In [[Social:Portuguese language|Portuguese]], it is known simply as {{lang|pt|taro}}, as well as  {{lang|pt|inhame}}, {{lang|pt|inhame-coco}}, {{lang|pt|taioba}}, {{lang|pt|taiova}}, {{lang|pt|taioba-de-são-tomé}} or ''matabala'';<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/3/x3996p/x3996p19.htm |title=Modulo de Formação Técnicos de Extensão Agrícola em África |date=2003 |access-date=2021-04-07 |website=FAO|language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fernandes|first=Daniel|title=Produtos Tradicionais Portugueses|url=https://tradicional.dgadr.gov.pt/|access-date=|website=Produtos Tradicionais Portugueses|language=pt}}</ref> in [[Social:Spanish language|Spanish]], it is called {{lang|es|malanga}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Malanga - Spanish to English Translation {{!}} Spanish Central|url=https://www.spanishcentral.com/translate/malanga|access-date=|website=www.spanishcentral.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Malanga {{!}} Definición de Malanga por Oxford Dictionaries en Lexico.com también significado de Malanga|url=https://www.lexico.com/es/definicion/malanga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820074654/https://www.lexico.com/es/definicion/malanga|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2021|access-date=|website=Lexico Dictionaries {{!}} Spanish|language=es}}</ref>

The [[Social:Ancient Greek|Ancient Greek]] word {{lang|grc|κολοκάσιον}} ({{transliteration|grc|kolokasion}}, lit. 'lotus root') is the origin of the Modern Greek word {{lang|el-Latn|kolokasi}} ({{lang|el|κολοκάσι}}), the word {{lang|el-Latn|kolokas}} in both Greek and [[Social:Turkish language|Turkish]], and ''qulqas'' ({{linktext|قلقاس|lang=ar}}) in [[Social:Arabic|Arabic]]. It was borrowed by [[Social:Latin|Latin]] as ''colocasia'', thus becoming the genus name ''[[Biology:Colocasia|Colocasia]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=Charlton T. |last2=Short |first2=Charles |title=A Latin Dictionary |year=1879 |location=Oxford |publisher=Clarendon Press |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text::entry=colocasia}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Keimer |first=Ludwig |title=Die Gartenpflanzen im alten Ägypten |year=1984 |volume=2 |location=Hamburg |publisher=Hoffmann und Campe |page=62 |isbn=}}</ref>

Taro is among the most widely grown species in the group of tropical perennial plants that are colloquially referred to as "elephant ears", when grown as ornamental plants.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Elephant Ears (Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma)|url=https://wimastergardener.org/article/elephant-ears-colocasia-alocasia-and-xanthosoma/|access-date=|website=Master Gardener Program|language=en-US}}</ref> Other plants with the same nickname include certain species of related aroids possessing large, heart-shaped leaves, usually within such genera as ''[[Biology:Alocasia|Alocasia]]'', ''[[Biology:Caladium|Caladium]]'', ''[[Biology:Monstera|Monstera]]'', ''[[Biology:Philodendron|Philodendron]]'', ''[[Biology:Syngonium|Syngonium]]'', ''[[Biology:Thaumatophyllum|Thaumatophyllum]]'', and ''[[Biology:Xanthosoma|Xanthosoma]]''.

In the {{wipe|Philippines}}, the whole plant is usually referred to as ''gabi'', while the corm is called ''taro''. Taro is very popular flavor for milk tea in the country, and just as popular ingredient in several Filipino savory dishes such as sinigang.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

== Description ==
''Colocasia esculenta'' is a [[Biology:Perennial plant|perennial]], tropical plant primarily grown as a [[Biology:Root vegetable|root vegetable]] for its edible, starchy [[Biology:Corm|corm]]. The plant has [[Biology:Rhizome|rhizome]]s of different shapes and sizes. Leaves are up to {{Convert|40 x 25|cm|abbr=off|frac=2}} and sprout from the rhizome. They are dark green above and light green beneath. They are triangular-ovate, sub-rounded and mucronate at the apex, with the tip of the basal lobes rounded or sub-rounded. The [[Biology:Petiole (botany)|petiole]] is {{Convert|.8-1.2|m|ft|abbr=off|frac=2}} high. The path can be up to {{cvt|25|cm|in|0}} long. The [[Biology:Spadix (botany)|spadix]] is about three fifths as long as the spathe, with flowering parts up to {{Convert|8|mm|frac=8}} in diameter. The female portion is at the fertile ovaries intermixed with sterile white ones. Neuters grow above the females, and are rhomboid or irregular orium lobed, with six or eight cells. The appendage is shorter than the male portion.<gallery>
File:Elephant Ear Flower One.jpg|Flower
File:2006-10-22Colocasia01.jpg|Leaves
File:Coloc escul 140521-0017 tdp.JPG|Corms
File:Taro root and crossection of taro root.jpg|Corm (cross section)
</gallery>

=== Similar species ===
Taro is related to ''[[Biology:Xanthosoma|Xanthosoma]]'' and ''[[Biology:Caladium|Caladium]]'', plants commonly grown ornamentally, and like them, it is sometimes loosely called elephant ear. Similar taro varieties include giant taro (''[[Biology:Alocasia macrorrhizos|Alocasia macrorrhizos]]''), swamp taro (''[[Biology:Cyrtosperma merkusii|Cyrtosperma merkusii]]''), and arrowleaf elephant's ear (''[[Biology:Xanthosoma sagittifolium|Xanthosoma sagittifolium]]'').

== Taxonomy ==
[[Biography:Carl Linnaeus|Carl Linnaeus]] originally described two species, ''Colocasia esculenta'' and ''[[Biology:Colocasia antiquorum|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''.<ref>{{citation|author=Albert F. Hill|title=The Nomenclature of the Taro and its Varieties|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/31894#page/134/mode/1up|journal=Botanical Museum Leaflets, Harvard University|volume=7|issue=7|pages=113–118|year=1939|doi=10.5962/p.295132}}</ref><ref>{{GRIN|access-date=24 April 2015}}</ref>

=== Etymology ===
The [[Biology:Botanical name|specific epithet]], ''{{lang|la|esculenta}}'', means "edible" in Latin.

== Distribution and habitat ==
''Colocasia esculenta'' is thought to be native to Southern India and [[Place:Southeast Asia|Southeast Asia]], but is widely [[Biology:Naturalisation|naturalised]].<ref>Kolchaar, K. 2006 ''Economic Botany in the Tropics'', Macmillan India</ref><ref name="GRIN">{{GRIN|''Colocasia esculenta''|11177|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref> ''Colocasia'' is thought to have originated in the [[Biology:Indomalayan realm|Indomalayan realm]], perhaps in East India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It spread by cultivation eastward into Southeast Asia, [[Place:East Asia|East Asia]] and the Pacific Islands; westward to [[Place:Egypt|Egypt]] and the eastern [[Place:Mediterranean Basin|Mediterranean Basin]]; and then southward and westward from there into [[Place:East Africa|East Africa]] and [[Place:West Africa|West Africa]], where it spread to the Caribbean and [[Earth:Americas|Americas]].

Taro was probably first native to the lowland [[Earth:Wetland|wetland]]s of Malaysia, where it is called ''taloes''.

In Australia, ''C. esculenta'' var. ''aquatilis'' is thought to be native to the Kimberley region of Western Australia; the common variety ''esculenta'' is now naturalised and considered an invasive weed in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.

In Europe, ''C. esculenta'' is cultivated in Cyprus and it's called Colocasi, (Κολοκάσι in Greek) and it is certified as a PDO product. It is also found in the Greek island of Ikaria and cited as a vital source of food for the island during WW II.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitikaria.gr/gr/%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%AF%CE%B1/%CE%B3%CE%B1%CF%83%CF%84%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%AF%CE%B1#.Y6itKOzP3Hg|title=Γαστρονομία &#124; Visit Ikaria|website=www.visitikaria.gr|accessdate=16 March 2023}}</ref>

In Turkey, ''C. esculenta'' is locally known as ''gölevez'' and mainly grown on the Mediterranean coast, such as the Alanya district of Antalya Province and the Anamur district of Mersin Province.

In Macaronesia this plant has become naturalized, probably as a result of the Portuguese discoveries and is frequently used in the macaronesian diet as an important carbohydrate source.

In the southeastern United States, this plant is recognized as an [[Earth:Invasive species|invasive species]].<ref name="Georgia Invasive Species">{{cite web|title=Invasive Plants to Watch for in Georgia|url=http://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/gist/assets/File/handbook/EDRRplants.pdf|website=Georgia Invasive Species Task Force|access-date=11 August 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.texasinvasives.org/plant_database/detail.php?symbol=COES ''Colocasia esculenta'']. Texasinvasives.org</ref><ref>[http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/flip/plant.aspx?id=19 Colocasia esculenta], Florida Invasive Plants</ref><ref>[http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/108 ''Colocasia esculenta''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626133835/http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/108 |date=2015-06-26 }}, [[Organization:University of Florida|University of Florida]]</ref><ref name="Wild Taro">{{cite web|title=Wild Taro|url=https://www.outdooralabama.com/emergent-aquatic-plants/wild-taro|website=Outdoor Alabama|access-date=15 September 2020}}</ref> Many populations can be commonly found growing near drain ditches and bayous in Houston, Texas.

== Cultivation  ==

=== History ===
Taro is one of the most ancient cultivated crops.<ref name="Denham2011">{{cite journal |last1=Denham |first1=Tim |date=October 2011 |title=Early Agriculture and Plant Domestication in New Guinea and Island Southeast Asia |journal=Current Anthropology |volume=52 |issue=S4 |pages=S379–S395 |doi=10.1086/658682 |s2cid=36818517 |hdl-access=free |hdl=1885/75070}}</ref><ref name="new-agri.co">[http://www.new-agri.co.uk/06-1/countryp.html new-agri.co Country profile: Samoa, New Agriculturist Online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828122750/http://www.new-agri.co.uk/06-1/countryp.html|date=2008-08-28}}, accessed June 12, 2006</ref>  Taro is found widely in tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia and in Maldives. Taro is highly [[Biology:Polymorphism|polymorphic]], making taxonomy and distinction between wild and cultivated types difficult. It is believed that they were domesticated independently multiple times, with authors giving possible locations as New Guinea, [[Place:Mainland Southeast Asia|Mainland Southeast Asia]], and northeastern {{wipe|India}}, based largely on the assumed native range of the wild plants.<ref name="Kreike2004">{{cite journal |last1=Kreike |first1=C.M. |last2=Van Eck |first2=H.J. |last3=Lebot |first3=V. |date=20 May 2004 |title=Genetic diversity of taro, ''Colocasia esculenta'' (L.) Schott, in Southeast Asia and the Pacific |journal=Theoretical and Applied Genetics |volume=109 |issue=4 |pages=761–768 |doi=10.1007/s00122-004-1691-z |pmid=15156282 |s2cid=21917510}}</ref><ref name="Lebot2009">{{cite book |last1=Lebot |first1=Vincent |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rFwyrKRSMUMC&pg=PA279 |title=Tropical Root and Tuber Crops: Cassava, Sweet Potato, Yams and Aroids |publisher=CABI |year=2009 |isbn=9781845936211 |series=Crop Production Science in Horticulture |volume=17 |pages=279–280}}</ref><ref name="Chaïr2016">{{cite journal |last1=Chaïr |first1=H. |last2=Traore |first2=R. E. |last3=Duval |first3=M. F. |last4=Rivallan |first4=R. |last5=Mukherjee |first5=A. |last6=Aboagye |first6=L. M. |last7=Van Rensburg |first7=W. J. |last8=Andrianavalona |first8=V. |last9=Pinheiro de Carvalho |first9=M. A. A. |last10=Saborio |first10=F. |last11=Sri Prana |first11=M. |last12=Komolong |first12=B. |last13=Lawac |first13=F. |last14=Lebot |first14=V. |last15=Chiang |first15=Tzen-Yuh |date=17 June 2016 |title=Genetic Diversification and Dispersal of Taro (''Colocasia esculenta'' (L.) Schott) |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=11 |issue=6 |pages=e0157712 |bibcode=2016PLoSO..1157712C |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0157712 |pmc=4912093 |pmid=27314588 |doi-access=free}}</ref> However, more recent studies have pointed out that wild taro may have a much larger native distribution than previously believed, and wild breeding types may also likely be indigenous to other parts of Island Southeast Asia.<ref name="Matthews2015">{{cite journal |last1=Matthews |first1=Peter J. |last2=Nguyen |first2=Van Dzu |last3=Tandang |first3=Daniel |last4=Agoo |first4=E. Maribel |last5=Madulid |first5=Domingo A. |date=2015 |title=Taxonomy and ethnobotany of ''Colocasia esculenta'' and ''C. formosana'' (Araceae): implications for the evolution, natural range, and domestication of taro |url=http://www.aroid.org/aroideana/getarticle.php?key=MDM4NzExMw==T |journal=Aroideana |volume=38E |issue=1}}</ref><ref name="Matthews2012">{{cite book |last1=Matthews |first1=P.J. |title=Irrigated Taro (''Colocasia esculenta'') in the Indo‐Pacific: Biological, Social and Historical Perspectives |last2=Agoo |first2=E.M.G. |last3=Tandang |first3=D.N. |last4=Madulid |first4=D.A. |publisher=National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka |year=2012 |isbn=9784901906937 |editor1-last=Spriggs |editor1-first=Matthew |series=Senri Ethnological Studies (SES) |volume=78 |pages=307–340 |chapter=Ethnobotany and Ecology of Wild Taro (''Colocasia esculenta'') in the Philippines: Implications for Domestication and Dispersal |editor2-last=Addison |editor2-first=David |editor3-last=Matthews |editor3-first=Peter J. |chapter-url=https://www.doc-developpement-durable.org/file/Culture-plantes-alimentaires/FICHES_PLANTES/taro/Ethnobotany%20and%20Ecology%20of%20Wild%20Taro.pdf}}</ref>

Archaeological traces of taro exploitation have been recovered from numerous sites, though whether these were cultivated or wild types can not be ascertained. They include the Niah Caves of Borneo around 10,000 years ago,<ref name="Barker2011">{{cite journal |last1=Barker |first1=Graeme |last2=Lloyd-Smith |first2=Lindsay |last3=Barton |first3=Huw |last4=Cole |first4=Franca |last5=Hunt |first5=Chris |last6=Piper |first6=Philip J. |last7=Rabett |first7=Ryan |last8=Paz |first8=Victor |last9=Szabó |first9=Katherine |date=2011 |title=Foraging-farming transitions at the Niah Caves, Sarawak, Borneo |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285839641 |journal=Antiquity |volume=85 |issue=328 |pages=492–509 |doi=10.1017/s0003598x00067909 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Ille Cave of Palawan, dated to at least 11,000 year ago;<ref name="Barker2011" /><ref name="Balbaligo2007">{{cite journal |last1=Balbaligo |first1=Yvette |date=15 November 2007 |title=A Brief Note on the 2007 Excavation at Ille Cave, Palawan, the Philippines |journal=Papers from the Institute of Archaeology |volume=18 |issue=2007 |pages=161 |doi=10.5334/pia.308 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Kuk Swamp of New Guinea, dated to between 8250 BC and 7960 BC;<ref name="Fullagar2006">{{cite journal |last1=Fullagar |first1=Richard |last2=Field |first2=Judith |last3=Denham |first3=Tim |last4=Lentfer |first4=Carol |date=May 2006 |title=Early and mid Holocene tool-use and processing of taro (''Colocasia esculenta''), yam (''Dioscorea'' sp.) and other plants at Kuk Swamp in the highlands of Papua New Guinea |journal=Journal of Archaeological Science |volume=33 |issue=5 |pages=595–614 |bibcode=2006JArSc..33..595F |doi=10.1016/j.jas.2005.07.020}}</ref><ref name="Denham2004">{{cite journal |last1=Denham |first1=Tim P. |last2=Golson |first2=J. |last3=Hughes |first3=Philip J. |date=2004 |title=Reading Early Agriculture at Kuk Swamp, Wahgi Valley, Papua New Guinea: the Archaeological Features (Phases 1–3). |journal=Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society |volume=70 |pages=259–297 |doi=10.1017/S0079497X00001195 |s2cid=128780288}}</ref> and Kilu Cave in the Solomon Islands dated to around 28,000 to 20,000 years ago.<ref name="Loy1992">{{cite journal |last1=Loy |first1=Thomas H. |last2=Spriggs |first2=Matthew |last3=Wickler |first3=Stephen |date=1992 |title=Direct evidence for human use of plants 28,000 years ago: starch residues on stone artefacts from the northern Solomon Islands |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279580747 |journal=Antiquity |volume=66 |issue=253 |pages=898–912 |doi=10.1017/S0003598X00044811 |s2cid=162663964}}</ref> In the case of Kuk Swamp, there is evidence of formalized agriculture emerging by about 10,000 years ago, with evidence of cultivated plots, though which plant was cultivated remains unknown.<ref name="BarkerHuntCarlos2011">{{cite book |last1=Barker |first1=Graeme |title=Why cultivate? Anthropological and Archaeological Approaches to Foraging–Farming Transitions in Southeast Asia |last2=Hunt |first2=Chris |last3=Carlos |first3=Jane |publisher=McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research |year=2011 |isbn=9781902937588 |editor1-last=Barker |editor1-first=Grame |pages=61–74 |chapter=Transitions to Farming in Island Southeast Asia: Archaeological, Biomolecular and Palaeoecological Perspectives |editor2-last=Janowski |editor2-first=Monica |chapter-url=https://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/research/projects/cultured-rainforest/crp-files/2011-barker-hunt-carlos-transitions-to-farming-in.pdf}}</ref>

Taro were carried into the Pacific Islands by Austronesian peoples from around 1300 BC, where they became a staple crop of Polynesians, along with other types of "taros", like  ''[[Biology:Alocasia macrorrhizos|Alocasia macrorrhizos]]'', ''[[Biology:Amorphophallus paeoniifolius|Amorphophallus paeoniifolius]]'', and ''[[Biology:Cyrtosperma merkusii|Cyrtosperma merkusii]]''. They are the most important and the most preferred among the four, because they were less likely to contain the irritating [[Biology:Raphide|raphide]]s present in the other plants.<ref name="Matthews1995">{{cite journal |last1=Matthews |first1=Peter J. |date=1995 |title=Aroids and the Austronesians. |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240821492 |journal=Tropics |volume=4 |issue=2/3 |pages=105–126 |doi=10.3759/tropics.4.105 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Barton2012">{{cite journal |last1=Barton |first1=Huw |date=2012 |title=The reversed fortunes of sago and rice, ''Oryza sativa'', in the rainforests of Sarawak, Borneo |url=https://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/research/projects/cultured-rainforest/crp-files/2012-barton-reversed-fortunes-of-sago-and-rice.pdf |journal=Quaternary International |volume=249 |pages=96–104 |bibcode=2012QuInt.249...96B |doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2011.03.037}}</ref>  Taro is also identified as one of the staples of [[Place:Micronesia|Micronesia]], from archaeological evidence dating back to the pre-colonial [[Unsolved:Latte stone|Latte Period]] (c. 900 – 1521 AD), indicating that it was also carried by Micronesians when they colonized the islands.<ref name="taroguampedia">{{cite web |last=Moore |first=Darlene |date=14 October 2019 |title=Ancient Chamorro Agricultural Practices |url=https://www.guampedia.com/ancient-chamorro-agricultural-practices/ |website=Guampedia}}</ref><ref name="Dixon2012">{{cite journal |last1=Dixon |first1=Boyd |last2=Walker |first2=Samuel |last3=Golabi |first3=Mohammad H. |last4=Manner |first4=Harley |date=2012 |title=Two probably ''latte'' period agricultural sites in northern Guam: Their plants, soils, and interpretations |url=http://www.micronesica.org/sites/default/files/6_dixon_pp209-257.pdf |journal=Micronesica |volume=42 |issue=1/2 |pages=209–257}}</ref> Taro pollen and starch residue have also been identified in Lapita sites, dated to between 1100 BC and 550 BC.<ref name="McLean2014">{{cite book |last1=McLean |first1=Mervyn |url=http://polynesianorigins.org/chapter-11-food-plants/ |title=Music, Lapita, and the Problem of Polynesian Origins |publisher=Polynesian Origins |year=2014 |isbn=9780473288730}}</ref> Taro was later spread to {{wipe|Madagascar}} as early as the 1st century AD.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sanderson |first1=Helen |title=The Cultural History of Plants |date=2005 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=0415927463 |editor1-last=Prance |editor1-first=Ghillean |page=70 |editor2-last=Nesbitt |editor2-first=Mark}}</ref>

[[File:Tarooutput.png|thumb|Geographic distribution of taro production]]
=== Modern production ===
In 2022, world production of taro was 18 million [[Tonne|tonne]]s, led by Nigeria with 46% of the total (table).

Taro has the fifth largest production among root and tuber crops worldwide.<ref name="auto">Oladimeji, J.J.; Kumar, P.L.; Abe, A.; Vetukuri, R.R.; Bhattacharjee, R.(2022). Taro in West Africa: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities. Agronomy, 12, 2094. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092094</ref> The average yield of taro is around 7 tons per hectare.<ref name="auto" />

Taro can be grown in [[Earth:Paddy field|paddy field]]s where water is abundant or in upland situations where water is supplied by rainfall or supplemental irrigation. Taro is one of the few crops (along with [[Biology:Rice|rice]] and [[Biology:Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]]) that can be grown under flooded conditions.{{cn|date=January 2024}} Flooded cultivation has some advantages over dry-land cultivation: higher yields (about double), out-of-season production (which may result in higher prices), and weed control (which flooding facilitates).{{cn|date=January 2024}}

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; clear:left; width:14em; text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan=2|Taro production – 2022
|-
!  style="background:#ddf; width:75%;"| Country
!  style="background:#ddf; width:25%;"| <small>(Millions of [[Tonne|tonne]]s)</small>
|-
| {{NGA}} ||8.2
|-
| {{CHN}} ||1.9
|-
| {{CMR}} ||1.9
|-
| {{GHA}} ||1.7
|-
| {{ETH}} ||1.7
|-
| '''World''' || '''17.7'''
|-
|colspan=2|<small>Source: FAOSTAT of the United Nations</small><ref name="faostat">{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC|title= Production of taro in 2022, Crops/Regions/World list/Production Quantity/Year (pick lists)|year=2024|publisher=UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT)|access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref>
|}

Like most [[Biology:List of root vegetables|root crops]], taro and [[Biology:Eddoe|eddoe]]s do well in deep, moist or even swampy soils where the annual rainfall exceeds {{cvt|2,500|mm|in|sigfig=1}}. Eddoes are more resistant to drought and cold. The crop attains maturity within six to twelve months after planting in dry-land cultivation and after twelve to fifteen months in wetland cultivation. The crop is harvested when the plant height decreases and the leaves turn yellow.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

=== Quality control ===
Taro generally commands a higher market price in comparison to other root crops, so the quality control measures throughout the production process are rather essential. The sizes found in most markets are 1–2 kg and 2–3 kg. The best size for packaging and for consumers is 1–2 kg. To guarantee the product meets the expected high standards upon reaching the consumer, there are some common grading standards for fresh corms:<ref>Jennings, D. (2009). Tropical Root and Tuber Crops. Cassava, Sweet Potato, Yams and Aroids. By V. Lebot. Wallingford, UK: CABI (2009), pp. 413. ISBN 978-1-84593-424-8. Experimental Agriculture, 45(3). doi:10.1017/S0014479709007832</ref>
* No excess soil, softness or decay

* No bruises or deep cuts

* Spherical to round shape

* No major abnormal deformities

* No roots

* Approximately 5 cm (under 2”) of petiole left attached to the corm

* No double-tops

Due to the high moisture content of the corms, and the plant’s natural love of humidity, [[Biology:Mold|mold]] and disease can easily develop, causing [[Biology:Root rot|root rot]] or decay. To prolong their shelf lives, the corms are usually stored at cooler temperatures, ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius and maintained at a relative humidity of 80% to 90%. For packaging, the corms are commonly placed in [[Chemistry:Polypropylene|polypropylene]] bags or ventilated wooden crates to minimize condensation and 'sweating.' During export, a weight allowance of approximately 5% above the net weight is included to account for potential shrinkage during transit. For commercial shipping and export purposes, refrigeration is used; for instance, corms with 5 to 10 centimeters of petiole remaining are exported from Fiji to New Zealand in wooden boxes. They are then transported via refrigerated container, chilled to around 5° Celsius.<ref>Bussell, W.T., Scheffer, J.J.C. and Douglas, J.A. (2004). Recent research on taro production in New Zealand. In: Guarino, L., Taylor, M. and Osborn, T. (eds) Proceedings of the 3rd Taro Symposium. Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Nadi, Fiji, pp.</ref> The corms can be maintained for up to six weeks in good condition; most good-quality corms may even be replanted and grown by the consumer, thanks to the species’ prolific nature and hardiness.

=== Breeding ===
In the early 1970’s, one of the earliest taro breeding programs was initiated in the Solomon Islands to create cultivars that were resistant to taro leaf blight.After taro leaf blight was introduced to Samoa in 1993, another breeding program was initiated. In this program Asian varieties that were resistant to TLB were used. The breeding program helped restore the taro export industry in Samoa.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Lebot |first=Vincent |title=Tropical rooT and Tuber crops Cassava, Sweet Potato, Yams and Aroids |publisher=Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement France |year=2020 |isbn=9781789243376 |edition=2nd |location=France |pages=359–382 |language=English}}</ref> 
 
Corm yield and corm quality appear to be negatively correlated. In order to produce the uniform fresh healthy corms that the market desires, early maturing cultivars with a growth period of 5 to 7 months can be used.<ref name=":0" />

==== Selection methods and programs ====
Cultivars grown in the Pacific regions produce good quality corms, as a result of selecting for corm quality and yield. However, the genetic bases of these cultivars is very narrow. Asian cultivars have agriculturally undesirable traits (such as suckers and stolon), but appear to be more genetically diverse.  There needs to be an international exchange of taro germplasm with reliable quarantine procedures.<ref name=":0" /> 

There are thought to be 15,000 varieties of ''C. esculenta''. Currently there are 6,000 accession from various institutes from across the world. The INEA (International Network for Edible Aroids) already has a core sample of 170 cultivars that have been distributed. These cultivars are maintained in vitro in a germplasm centre in Fiji,<ref>{{Cite journal|display-authors=3 |last1=Lebot |first1=V. |last2=Tuia |first2=V. |last3=Ivancic |first3=A. |last4=Jackson |first4=G. V. H. |last5=Saborio |first5=F. |last6=Reyes |first6=G. |last7=Rodriguez |first7=S. |last8=Robin |first8=G. |last9=Traoré |first9=R. |last10=Aboagye |first10=L. |last11=Onyeka |first11=J. |last12=van Rensburg |first12=W. |last13=Andrianavalona |first13=V. |last14=Mukherjee |first14=A. |last15=Prana |first15=M. S. |date=2017-09-05 |title=Adapting clonally propagated crops to climatic changes: a global approach for taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10722-017-0557-6 |journal=Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution |language=en |volume=65 |issue=2 |pages=591–606 |doi=10.1007/s10722-017-0557-6 |issn=0925-9864 |s2cid=12700604 |hdl-access=free |hdl=10400.13/3170}}</ref> which is considered safer and cheaper than field conservation.<ref name=":0" />

==== Polyploidy breeding ====
Taro exists as a diploid (2n=28) and a triploid (3n=42).{{cn|date=January 2024}} Naturally occurring triploids in India were found to have significantly better yields. There have been attempts to artificially make triploids by crossing diploids with artificial tetraploids<ref name=":0" />
{{nutritional value | name=Taro, cooked, without salt
| kJ=594
| water=64 g
| protein=0.52 g
| fat=0.11 g
| carbs=34.6 g
| fiber=5.1 g
| sugars=0.49
| calcium_mg=18
| iron_mg=0.72
| magnesium_mg=30
| phosphorus_mg=76
| potassium_mg=484
| zinc_mg=0.27
| manganese_mg=0.449
| vitC_mg=5
| thiamin_mg=0.107
| riboflavin_mg=0.028
| niacin_mg=0.51
| pantothenic_mg=0.336
| vitB6_mg=0.331
| folate_ug=19
| vitE_mg=2.93
| vitD_mg=
| source_usda = 1
| note=[https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168486/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry]
}}
{{nutritional value | name=Taro leaves, raw
| kJ=177
| protein=5 g
| fat=0.74 g
| carbs=6.7 g
| fiber=3.7 g
| sugars=3 g
| calcium_mg=107
| iron_mg=2.25
| magnesium_mg=45
| phosphorus_mg=60
| potassium_mg=648
| zinc_mg=0.41
| manganese_mg=0.714
| vitC_mg=52
| thiamin_mg=0.209
| riboflavin_mg=0.456
| niacin_mg=1.513
| vitB6_mg=0.146
| folate_ug=126
| vitA_ug=241
| betacarotene_ug=2895
| lutein_ug=1932
| vitE_mg=2.02
| vitK_ug=108.6
| water=86 g
| source_usda = 1
| note=[https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168487/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry]
}}

==Nutrition==
Cooked taro is 64% water, 35% [[Chemistry:Carbohydrate|carbohydrate]]s, and contains negligible [[Biology:Protein (nutrient)|protein]] and [[Chemistry:Fat|fat]] (table). In a reference amount of {{convert|100|g}}, taro supplies 142 [[Calorie|calorie]]s of food energy, and is a rich source (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of [[Biology:Vitamin B6|vitamin B6]] (25% DV), [[Chemistry:Vitamin E|vitamin E]] (20% DV), and [[Chemistry:Manganese|manganese]] (21% DV), while [[Chemistry:Phosphorus|phosphorus]] and [[Chemistry:Potassium|potassium]] are in moderate amounts (10-11% DV) (table).

Raw taro leaves are 86% water, 7% carbohydrates, 5% protein, and 1% fat (table). The leaves are nutrient-rich, containing substantial amounts of [[Chemistry:Vitamin|vitamin]]s and [[Chemistry:Mineral (nutrient)|minerals]], especially [[Chemistry:Vitamin K|vitamin K]] at 103% of the DV (table). 

== Uses ==

===Culinary===
[[File:Peeled taro corms.jpg|thumb|left|Peeled taro corms]]

Taro is a food staple in African, [[Earth:Oceania|Oceanic]] and [[Place:South Asia|South Asia]]n cultures.<ref name="new-agri.co" />
People usually consume its edible corm and leaves. The corms, which have a light purple color due to [[Chemistry:Phenol|phenol]]ic pigments,<ref>McGee, Harold. ''On Food and cooking''. 2004. Scribner, {{ISBN|978-0-684-80001-1}}</ref> are roasted, baked or boiled. The natural sugars give a sweet, nutty flavor. The starch is easily digestible, and since the grains are fine and small it is often used for baby food. {{cn|date=January 2024}}

In its raw form, the plant is toxic due to the presence of [[Chemistry:Calcium oxalate|calcium oxalate]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weird-food.com/weird-food-vegetable.html |title=Weird Foods from around the World<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411160105/http://www.weird-food.com/weird-food-vegetable.html |archive-date=2008-04-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/elephant-ears-0|title=Elephant Ears|website=ASPCA}}</ref> and the presence of needle-shaped [[Biology:Raphide|raphide]]s in the plant cells. However, the toxin can be minimized and the tuber rendered palatable by cooking,<ref>''The Morton Arboretum Quarterly'', Morton Arboretum/University of California, 1965, p. 36.</ref> or by steeping in cold water overnight.

Corms of the small, round variety are peeled and boiled, then sold either [[Engineering:Frozen food|frozen]], bagged in their own liquids, or [[Engineering:Canning|canned]].

====Oceania====

=====Cook Islands=====
Taro is the pre-eminent crop of the Cook Islands and surpasses all other crops in terms of land area devoted to production. The prominence of the crop there has led it to be a staple of the population's diet. Taro is grown across the country, but the method of cultivation depends on the nature of the island it is grown on. Taro also plays an important role in the country's export trade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac450e/ac450e08.htm|title=Taro Cultivation in Asia and the Pacific|last1=FAO|access-date=6 June 2016|archive-date=24 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124111637/http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC450E/ac450e08.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The root is eaten boiled, as is standard across [[Place:Polynesia|Polynesia]]. Taro leaves are also eaten, cooked with coconut milk, onion, and meat or fish.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/features/food/rukau-a-simple-delight/ |title=Rukau – A simple delight |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=14 January 2021 |access-date=15 January 2021}}</ref>

=====Fiji=====
[[File:Lovo.jpg|thumb|left|Fijian lovo of cooked staples: taro and cassava (white)]]
Taro (''dalo'' in Fijian) has been a staple of the Fijian diet for centuries, and its cultural importance is celebrated on Taro Day. Its growth as an export crop began in 1993 when [[Biology:Taro leaf blight|taro leaf blight]]<ref name="TaroLeafBlight">[http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/adap2/ascc_landgrant/Dr_Brooks/ColorPlates.pdf Taro leaf blight caused by ''Phytophthora colocasiae''], College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), [[Organization:University of Hawaii at Manoa|University of Hawai'i at Mānoa]], Honolulu, Hawai'i, p. 2.</ref> devastated the taro industry in neighboring Samoa. Fiji filled the void and was soon supplying taro internationally. Almost 80% of Fiji's exported taro comes from the island of Taveuni where the taro beetle species ''Papuana uninodis'' is absent. The Fijian taro industry on the main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu faces constant damage from the beetles. The Fiji Ministry of Agriculture and the Land Resources Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) are researching pest control and instigating quarantine restrictions to prevent the spread of the pest. Taveuni now exports pest-damage-free crops.

=====Hawaii=====
''Kalo'' is taro's [[Social:Hawaiian language|Hawaiian]] name. The local crop plays an important role in Hawaiian culture and [[Religion:Hawaiian religion|mythology]]. Taro is a traditional staple of the native cuisine of Hawaii. Some of the uses for taro include poi, table taro (steamed and served like a potato), taro chips, and lūʻau leaf (to make laulau). In Hawaii, kalo is farmed under either dryland or wetland conditions. Taro farming there is challenging because of the difficulties of accessing fresh water. Kalo is usually grown in "pond fields" known as ''loʻi''. Typical dryland or "upland" varieties (varieties grown in watered but not flooded fields) are ''lehua maoli'' and ''bun long'', the latter widely known as "Chinese taro". ''Bun long'' is used for making taro chips. ''Dasheen'' (also called "eddo") is another dryland variety cultivated for its corms or as an ornamental plant. A contemporary Hawaiian diet consists of many tuberous plants, particularly [[Biology:Sweet potato|sweet potato]] and kalo.

The Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service determined the 10-year median production of kalo to be about 6.1 million pounds (2,800 t).{{Sfn|Viotti|2004}} However, 2003 taro production was only 5 million pounds (2,300 t), the lowest since record-keeping began in 1946. The previous low (1997) was 5.5 million pounds (2,500 t). Despite generally growing demand, production was even lower in 2005—only 4 million pounds, with ''kalo'' for processing into ''poi'' accounting for 97.5%.{{sfn|Hao| 2006}} Urbanization is one cause driving down harvests from the 1948 high of 14.1 million pounds (6,400 t), but more recently, the decline has resulted from pests and diseases. A non-native [[Biology:Ampullariidae|apple snail]] (''Pomacea canaliculata'') is a major culprit along with a plant rot disease traced to a species of [[Biology:Fungus|fungus]] in the genus ''[[Biology:Phytophthora|Phytophthora]]'' that now damages kalo crops throughout Hawaii. Although pesticides could control both problems to some extent, pesticide use in the ''loʻi'' is banned because of the opportunity for chemicals to migrate quickly into streams, and then eventually the sea.{{Sfn|Viotti|2004}}{{sfn|Hao| 2006}}

====== Social roles ======
[[File:Cleaning the kalo, Sandwich Islands, 1852, watercolour by James Gay Sawkins.jpg|thumb|Cleaning the ''kalo'', Sandwich Islands, 1852, watercolour by James Gay Sawkins]]
Important aspects of Hawaiian culture revolve around ''kalo''. For example, the newer name for a traditional Hawaiian feast, the lūʻau, comes from ''kalo''. Young ''kalo'' tops baked with coconut milk and chicken meat or [[Biology:Octopus|octopus]] arms are frequently served at ''luaus''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://luaus.org/elements-of-a-luau-taro-in-hawaiian-culture/ |title=Taro in Hawaiian Culture |date=21 February 2020 |publisher=Hawaii Luaus |access-date=12 November 2022}}</ref>

By ancient Hawaiian custom, fighting is not allowed when a bowl of ''poi'' is "open". It is also disrespectful to fight in front of an elder and one should not raise their voice, speak angrily, or make rude comments or gestures.

====== ''Loʻi'' ======
[[File:Kalo Loi Harvest.jpg|thumb|left|Several small ''loʻi'' (pondfields) in which ''kalo'' (taro) is being grown in the Maunawili Valley on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. The ditch on the left in the picture is called an ''ʻauwai'' and supplies diverted stream water to the ''loʻi''.]]
A ''loʻi'' is a patch of wetland dedicated to growing ''kalo''. Hawaiians have traditionally used [[Earth:Irrigation|irrigation]] to produce kalo. Wetland fields produce ten to fifteen times more kalo per acre than dry fields.<ref>{{cite book|first=Lilikala |last=Kameʻeleihiwa |title=Hawaii: Center of the Pacific |location=Acton, MA |publisher=Copley Custom Textbooks|year=2008 |page=57}}</ref> Wetland-grown kalo need a constant flow of water.

About 300 varieties of kalo were originally brought to Hawaiʻi (about 100 remain). The kalo plant takes seven months to grow until harvest, so ''lo`i'' fields are used in rotation and the soil can be replenished while the ''loʻi'' in use has sufficient water. Stems are typically replanted in the ''lo`i'' for future harvests. 

====== History ======
One mythological version of Hawaiian ancestry cites the taro plant as an ancestor to Hawaiians. Legend joins two siblings of high and divine rank: Papahānaumoku ("Papa from whom lands are born", or Earth mother) and [[Religion:Wākea|Wākea]] (Sky father). Together they create the islands of Hawaii and a beautiful woman, Hoʻohokukalani (The Heavenly one who made the stars).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Beckwith |first=Martha Warren |date=31 December 1970 |title=Hawaiian Mythology |doi=10.1515/9780824840716 |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1253313534 |isbn=978-0-8248-4071-6 |oclc=1253313534|chapter=Papa and Wakea |location=Honolulu 
|publisher=University of Hawaii |page=94}}</ref>

The story of kalo begins when Wakea and Papa conceived their daughter, Hoʻohokukalani. Daughter and father then conceived a child together named Hāloanakalaukapalili (Long stalk trembling), but it was stillborn. After the father and daughter buried the child near their house, a kalo plant grew over the grave:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hawaiian kalo history |url=http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/botany/taro/key/HawaiianKalo/Media/Html/history.html |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=hbs.bishopmuseum.org|date=18 April 2013}}</ref>

{{blockquote|The stems were slender and when the wind blew they swayed and bent as though paying homage, their heart-shaped leaves shivering gracefully as in hula.  And in the center of each leaf water gathered, like a mother’s teardrop.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lomilomi-massage.org/Haloa.html |title=HALOA |access-date=2012-02-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804111903/http://www.lomilomi-massage.org/Haloa.html |archive-date=2012-08-04 |last=Heard |first=Barbara H. |date=7 November 2011}}</ref>}}

The second child born of Wākea and Hoʻohokukalani was named Hāloa after his older brother. The kalo of the earth was the sustenance for the young brother and became the principal food for successive generations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hawaiiseed.org/issues/taro/taro-creation-story|title=Taro creation story — Hawaii SEED|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425154750/http://www.hawaiiseed.org/issues/taro/taro-creation-story|archive-date=25 April 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=2012-02-07|date=7 November 2011}}</ref> The Hawaiian word for family, ''{{linktext|ʻohana}}'', is derived from ''ʻohā'', the shoot that grows from the kalo corm. As young shoots grow from the corm of the kalo plant, so people, too, grow from their family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earthfoot.org/lit_zone/taro.htm|title=Taro: Hawaii's Roots|work=earthfoot.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303163719/http://www.earthfoot.org/lit_zone/taro.htm|archive-date=March 3, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===== Papua New Guinea =====
The taro corm is a traditional staple crop for large parts of Papua New Guinea, with a domestic trade extending its consumption to areas where it is not traditionally grown. Taro from some regions has developed particularly good reputations with (for instance) [[Place:Lae|Lae]] taro being highly prized.

Among the Urapmin people of Papua New Guinea, taro (known in Urap as ''ima'') is the main source of sustenance along with the [[Biology:Sweet potato|sweet potato]] (Urap: ''wan''). In fact, the word for "food" in Urap is a compound of these two words.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Robbins|first=Joel|year=1995|title=Dispossessing the Spirits: Christian Transformations of Desire and Ecology among the Urapmin of Papua New Guinea quick view|journal=Ethnology|volume=34|issue=3|pages=212–213|doi=10.2307/3773824|jstor=3773824}}</ref>

===== Polynesia =====
Considered the staple starch of traditional [[Place:Polynesia|Polynesia]]n cuisine, taro is both a common and prestigious food item that was first introduced to the Polynesian islands by prehistoric seafarers of Southeast Asian derivation. The tuber itself is prepared in various ways, including baking, steaming in [[Engineering:Earth oven|earth oven]]s (''umu'' or ''imu''), boiling, and frying. The famous Hawaiian staple poi is made by mashing steamed taro roots with water. Taro also features in traditional desserts such as Samoan ''fa'ausi'', which consists of grated, cooked taro mixed with coconut milk and brown sugar. The leaves of the taro plant also feature prominently in Polynesian cooking, especially as edible wrappings for dishes such as Hawaiian ''laulau'', Fijian and Samoan ''palusami'' (wrapped around onions and coconut milk), and Tongan ''lupulu'' (wrapped corned beef). Ceremonial presentations on occasion of chiefly rites or communal events (weddings, funerals, etc.) traditionally included the ritual presentation of raw and cooked taro roots/plants.

The Hawaiian ''laulau'' traditionally contains pork, fish, and ''lu'au'' (cooked taro leaf). The wrapping is inedible ''ti'' leaves (Hawaiian: ''lau ki'').  Cooked taro leaf has the consistency of cooked spinach and is therefore unsuitable for use as a wrapping.

===== Samoa =====
[[File:Pig on the Samoan Umu.jpg|thumb|Taro corms cooked with pig on the Samoan [[Engineering:Earth oven|umu]]]]
In Samoa, the baby talo leaves and coconut milk are wrapped into parcels and cooked, along with other food, in an earth oven . The parcels are called ''palusami'' or ''lu'au''. The resulting taste is smoky, sweet, savory and has a unique creamy texture. The root is also baked (''Talo tao'') in the [[Engineering:Earth oven|''umu'']] or boiled with coconut cream (''Faálifu Talo''). It has a slightly bland and starchy flavor. It is sometimes called the Polynesian potato.

===== Tonga =====
''Lū'' is the Tongan word for the edible leaves of the taro plant (called ''talo'' in Tonga), as well as the traditional dish made using them. This meal is still prepared for special occasions and especially on Sunday. The dish consists of chopped meat, onions, and coconut milk wrapped in a number of taro leaves (''lū talo''). This is then wrapped traditionally in a banana leaf (nowadays, aluminum foil is often used) and put in the [[Engineering:Earth oven|''ʻumu'']] to cook. It has a number of named varieties, dependent on the filling:
* ''Lū pulu'' – ''lū'' with beef, commonly using imported corned beef (''kapapulu'')
* ''Lū sipi'' –  ''lū'' with lamb
* ''Lū moa'' – ''lū'' with chicken
* ''Lū hoosi'' – ''lū'' with horse meat

'''Oceanian Atolls'''

The islands situated along the border of the three main parts of [[Earth:Oceania|Oceania]] ([[Place:Polynesia|Polynesia]], [[Place:Micronesia|Micronesia]] and [[Place:Melanesia|Melanesia]]) are more prone to being atolls rather than volcanic islands (most prominently Tuvalu, Tokelau, and Kiribati). As a result of this, Taro was not a part of the traditional diet due to the infertile soil and have only become a staple today through importation from other islands (Taro and [[Biology:Cassava|Cassava]] cultivars are usually imported from Fiji or Samoa). The traditional staple however is the [[Biology:Cyrtosperma merkusii|Swamp Taro]] known as Pulaka or Babai, a distant relative of the Taro but with a very long growing phase (3–5 years), larger and denser corms and coarser leaves. It is grown in a patch of land dug out to give rise to the freshwater lense beneath the soil. The lengthy growing time of this crop usually confines it as a food during festivities much like Pork although it can be preserved by drying out in the sun and storing it somewhere cool and dry to be enjoyed out of harvesting season.

====East Asia====

=====China=====
Taro ({{zh|t=芋頭|s=芋头|p=yùtou|cy=wuhtáu}}) is commonly used as a main course as steamed taro with or without [[Chemistry:Sugar|sugar]], as a substitute for other [[Biology:Cereal|cereal]]s, in Chinese cuisine in a variety of styles and provinces steamed, boiled or stir-fried as a main dish and as a flavor-enhancing ingredient. In Northern China, it is often boiled or steamed then peeled and eaten with or without sugar much like a potato. It is commonly braised with pork or beef. It is used in the [[Social:Cantonese|Cantonese]] dim sum to make a small plated dish called taro dumpling as well as a pan-fried dish called taro cake. It can also be shredded into long strips which are woven together to form a seafood birdsnest. In Fujian cuisine, it is steamed or boiled and mixed with [[Chemistry:Starch|starch]] to form a dough for dumpling.

Taro cake is a delicacy traditionally eaten during [[Place:Chinese New Year|Chinese New Year]] celebrations. As a dessert, it can be mashed into a purée or used as a flavoring in ''tong sui'', [[Engineering:Ice cream|ice cream]], and other desserts such as Sweet Taro Pie. McDonald's sells taro-flavored pies in China.

Taro is mashed in the dessert known as taro purée.

[[File:Teochew_Sweet_Yam_Paste_-_After_Stirring.jpg|thumb|Taro paste, also known as "Or Nee", is a famous traditional Chaoshan dessert from China]]
Taro paste, a traditional Cantonese cuisine, which originated from the Chaoshan region in the eastern part of China's Guangdong Province is a dessert made primarily from taro. The taro is steamed and then mashed into a thick paste, which forms the base of the dessert. Lard or fried onion oil is then added for fragrance. The dessert is traditionally sweetened with water chestnut syrup, and served with ginkgo nuts. Modern versions of the dessert include the addition of coconut cream and sweet corn. The dessert is commonly served at traditional Teochew wedding banquet dinners as the last course, marking the end of the banquet.

=====Japan=====
[[File:Excavated satoimo (1)-(5).jpg|thumb|Excavated Japanese ''satoimo'' root (stems are cut before the plant is dug up): (1) Remaining stem from parent or seed satoimo, (2) Parent or seed satoimo, (3) Remaining stem from child satoimo, (4) Child satoimo, (5) Grandchild satoimo]]
[[File:Leiden University Library - Seikei Zusetsu vol. 22, page 005 - 紫芋 - Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, 1804.jpg|thumb|Colocasia esculenta from the Japanese agricultural encyclopedia Seikei Zusetsu]]
A similar plant in Japan is called {{nihongo||里芋、サトイモ|satoimo|literally "village potato"}}. The "child" and "grandchild" corms (cormels, cormlets) which bud from the parent ''satoimo'', are called {{nihongo||子芋|koimo}} and {{nihongo||孫芋|magoimo}}, respectively, or more generally {{nihongo||芋の子|imonoko}}. ''Satoimo'' has been propagated in [[Place:Southeast Asia|Southeast Asia]] since the late Jōmon period.  It was a regional staple before [[Biology:Rice|rice]] became predominant. The tuber, ''satoimo'', is often prepared through simmering in fish stock (''dashi'') and soy sauce.  The stalk, {{ill|zuiki|lt=''zuiki''|ja|芋茎}}, can also be prepared a number of ways, depending on the variety.<ref>The Japan Times Online</ref>

=====Korea=====
[[File:Toran-guk.jpg|thumb|left|''Toran-guk'' (taro soup)]]
In Korea, taro is called ''toran'' ({{lang-ko|토란}}: "earth egg"), and the corm is stewed and the leaf stem is stir-fried. Taro roots can be used for medicinal purposes, particularly for treating insect bites. It is made into the Korean traditional soup ''toranguk'' (토란국). Taro stems are often used as an ingredient in yukgaejang (육개장).

=====Taiwan=====
[[File:芋泥 à Taipei.jpg|thumb|left|Small ball of mashed taro paste served on a banana leaf in a restaurant of the Daan district (Taipei)]]
In Taiwan, taro—''yùtóu'' ({{lang|zh|芋頭}}) in Mandarin, and ''ō͘-á'' ({{lang|zh|芋仔}}) in Taiwanese—is well-adapted to Taiwanese climate and can grow almost anywhere in the country with minimal maintenance. Before the Taiwan Miracle made rice affordable to everyone, taro was one of the main staples in Taiwan. Nowadays taro is used more often in desserts. [[Engineering:Supermarket|Supermarket]] varieties range from about the size and shape of a [[Biology:Brussels sprout|brussels sprout]] to longer, larger varieties the size of a [[Engineering:Football (ball)|football]]. Taro chips are often used as a potato-chip-like snack. Compared to potato chips, taro chips are harder and have a [[Biology:Nut (fruit)|nuttier]] flavor. Another popular traditional Taiwanese snack is taro ball, served on ice or deep-fried. It is common to see taro as a flavor in desserts and drinks, such as bubble tea.

====Southeast Asia====

=====Indonesia=====
[[File:Coloc escul 140521-0021 tdp.JPG|thumb|Sayur lodeh lompong]]
[[File:Lotlot.jpg|thumb|Lotlot]]
In Indonesia, taro is widely used for snacks, cakes, crackers, and even macarons, thus it can be easily found everywhere. Some varieties are specially cultivated in accordance with social or geographical traditions. Taro is usually known as "keladi", although other varieties are also known as "talas", among others. The vegetable soup, sayur asem and sayur lodeh may use taro and its leaves also ''lompong'' (taro stem) in Java. Chinese descendants in Indonesia often eat taro with stewed rice and dried shrimp. The taro is diced and cooked along with the rice, the shrimp, and sesame oil. In New Guinea of Indonesia, there are some traditional dishes made of taro as well its leaves such as ''keripik keladi'' (sweet spicy taro chips), ''{{ill|keladi tumbuk|id}}'', pounded taro with vegetables, and ''{{ill|aunu senebre|id}}'', anchovies mixed with slices of taro leaf. Mentawai people has a traditional food called ''lotlot'', taro leaves cooked with ''tinimbok'' (smoked fish).

=====Philippines=====
[[File:Laingjf1762.JPG|thumb|Laing]]
In the {{wipe|Philippines}} taro is usually called ''gabi'', ''abi'', or ''avi'' and is widely available throughout the archipelago. Its adaptability to marshland and swamps make it one of the most common vegetables in the Philippines. The leaves, stems, and corms are all consumed and form part of the local cuisine. A popular recipe for taro is ''laing'' from the Bicol Region; the dish's main ingredients are taro leaves (at times including stems) cooked in coconut milk, and salted with fermented shrimp or fish ''bagoong''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/dpinpin/2303024507/in/set-72157604019353752/|title=Laing, gabi|work=Flickr|date=March 2008}}</ref> It is sometimes heavily spiced with red hot chilies called ''[[Biology:Siling labuyo|siling labuyo]]''. Another dish in which taro is commonly used is the Philippine national stew, ''sinigang'', although radish can be used if taro is not available. This stew is made with pork and beef, shrimp, or fish, a souring agent (tamarind fruit, [[Biology:Averrhoa bilimbi|''kamias'']], etc.) with the addition of peeled and diced corms as thickener. The corm is also prepared as a basic ingredient for ''ginataan'', a coconut milk and taro dessert.

=====Thailand=====
In Thai cuisine, taro {{lang-th|เผือก}} (''pheuak'') is used in a variety of ways depending on the region. Boiled taro is readily available in the market packaged in small cellophane bags, already peeled and diced, and eaten as a snack. Pieces of boiled taro with coconut milk are a traditional Thai dessert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaifoodplus.com/Thai/Recipes/Dessert/Taro_in_Coconut_Milk.php|title=Real Estate Guide Plano – Hottest Deals On Market|work=Real Estate Guide Plano|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913015658/http://www.thaifoodplus.com/Thai/Recipes/Dessert/Taro_in_Coconut_Milk.php|archive-date=2011-09-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> Raw taro is also often sliced and deep fried and sold in bags as chips (เผือกทอด). As in other Asian countries, taro is a popular flavor for ice cream in Thailand.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/186266134560600956/|title=How to Make Coconut and Taro Ice Cream – A Thai Classic Dessert|date=18 March 2013|work=Pinterest}}</ref>

=====Vietnam=====
[[File:Seaweed taro dessert.jpg|thumb|Chè khoai môn]]
In Vietnam, there is a large variety of taro plants. One is called ''khoai môn,'' which is used as a filling in spring rolls, cakes, puddings and sweet soup desserts, smoothies and other desserts. Taro is used in the Tết dessert ''chè khoai môn'', which is sticky rice pudding with taro roots. The stems are also used in soups such as ''canh chua''. One is called ''khoai sọ'', which is smaller in size than ''khoai môn''. Another common taro plant grows roots in shallow waters and grows stems and leaves above the surface of the water. This taro plant has [[Chemistry:Saponin|saponin]]-like substances that cause a hot, itchy feeling in the mouth and throat. Northern farmers used to plant them to cook the stems and leaves to feed their hogs. They re-grew quickly from their roots. After cooking, the [[Chemistry:Saponin|saponin]] in the soup of taro stems and leaves is reduced to a level the hogs can eat. Today this practice is no longer popular in Vietnam agriculture. These taro plants are commonly called ''khoai ngứa'', which literally means "itchy potato".

====South Asia====
Taro roots are commonly known as Arbi or Arvi in [[Social:Urdu|Urdu]] and [[Social:Hindi|Hindi]] language. It is a common dish in Northern India and Pakistan. Arbi Gosht (meat) Masala Recipe is a delicious tangy mutton curry recipe with taro vegetable. Mutton and Arbi is cooked in whole spices and tomatoes which lends a wonderful taste to the dish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archanaskitchen.com/arbi-gosht-masala-recipe-mutton-arbi-curry-in-electric-pressure-cooker|title=Arbi Gosht Masala Recipe - Mutton Arbi Curry In Electric Pressure Cooker|first=Archana's|last=Kitchen|website=Archana's Kitchen}}</ref>

[[File:Arbi_Gosht.jpg|thumb|Arbi Gosht]]

=====Bangladesh=====
[[File:Food-Kochu-Bata.jpg|thumb|left|Kochu bata]]
In Bangladesh taro is a very popular vegetable known as ''kochu'' (কচু) or ''mukhi'' (মুখি). Within the Sylheti language, it is called ''mukhi''. It is usually cooked with small prawns or the [[Biology:Ilish|ilish]] fish into a curry, but some dishes are cooked with dried fish. Its green leaves, ''kochu pata'' (কচু পাতা), and stem, ''kochu'' (কচু), are also eaten as a favorite dish and usually ground to a paste or finely chopped to make ''shak'' — but it must be boiled well beforehand. Taro stolons or stems, ''kochur loti'' (কচুর লতি), are also favored by Bangladeshis and cooked with shrimp, dried fish or the head of the ilish fish.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/deshi-mix/kochu-you-can-say-again-1259194|title=Kochu! (You can say that again...)|date=2016-07-26|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en}}</ref> Taro is available, either fresh or frozen, in the UK and US in most Asian stores and supermarkets specialising in Sylheti, Bangladeshi or South Asian food. Also, another variety called ''maan kochu'' is consumed and is a rich source of vitamins and nutrients. ''Maan Kochu'' is made into a paste and fried to prepare a delicious food known as ''Kochu Bata''.
[[File:Taro stolons of Bangladesh.jpg|thumb|Taro stolons at a market in Dhaka]]

=====India=====
[[File:Saru bhoja.jpg|thumb|Saru bhaja]]
[[File:Patra (Gujarati snack).jpg|thumb|Patrode]]
In India, taro or [[Biology:Eddoe|eddoe]] is a common dish served in many ways.

In Gujarat, it is called ''Patar Vel'' or ''Saryia Na Paan'' green leaves are used by making a roll, with besan (gram flour), salt, turmeric, red chili powder all put into paste form inside leaves.  Then steamed and in small portions, as well as fried in the deep fryer.

In Mizoram, in north-eastern India, it is called ''bäl''; the leaves, stalks and corms are eaten as ''dawl bai''. The leaves and stalks are often traditionally preserved to be eaten in dry season as ''dawl rëp bai''.<ref name="dawlbai">{{cite web|url=http://www.misual.com//ei-leh-in-lam-bawk-aw/|title=Ei leh in lam bawk aw! - mi(sual).com|website=www.misual.com}}</ref><ref name="ndtv">{{Cite web|url=https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/humayunpur-a-mini-north-eastern-food-hub-in-safdarjung-1724305|title=Humayunpur: A Mini North-Eastern Food Hub In Safdarjung|website=NDTV Food|date=8 June 2017 }}</ref>

In Assam, a north-eastern state, taro is known as ''kosu'' (কচু). Various parts of the plant are eaten by making different dishes. The leaf buds called ''kosu loti'' (কচু লতি) are cooked with sour dried fruits and called ''thekera'' (থেকেৰা) or sometimes eaten alongside [[Biology:Tamarind|tamarind]], [[Biology:Dillenia indica|elephant apple]], a small amount of pulses, or fish. Similar dishes are prepared from the long root-like structures called ''kosu thuri''. A sour fried dish is made from its flower (''kosu kala''). Porridges are made from the corms themselves, which may also be boiled, seasoned with salt and eaten as snacks.

In Manipur, another north-eastern state, taro is known as ''pan''. The Kukis calls it ''bal''. Boiled ''bal'' is a snack at lunch along with chutney or hot chili-flakes besides being cooked as a main dish along with smoked or dried meat, beans, and mustard leaves. Sun-dried taro leaves are later used in broth and stews. It is widely available and is eaten in many forms, either baked, boiled, or cooked into a curry with hilsa or with fermented soybeans called ''hawai-zaar''. The leaves are also used in a special traditional dish called ''utti'', cooked with peas.

It is called ''arbi'' in Urdu/Hindi and ''arvi'' in Punjabi in north India. It is called ''kəchu'' (कचु) in Sanskrit.<ref>''The Cross Name Index to Medicinal Plants'', Four-Volume Set By Anthony R. Torkelson. Page Number 1694.</ref>

In Himachal Pradesh, in northern India, taro corms are known as ''ghandyali'', and the plant is known as ''kachalu'' in the Kangra and Mandi districts. The dish called ''patrodu'' is made using taro leaves rolled with corn or gram flour and boiled in water. Another dish, ''pujji'' is made with mashed leaves and the trunk of the plant and ''ghandyali'' or taro corms are prepared as a separate dish. In Shimla, a pancake-style dish, called ''patra'' or ''patid'', is made using gram flour.

In Uttarakhand and neighboring Nepal, taro is considered a healthy food and is cooked in a variety of ways. The delicate ''gaderi'' (taro variety) of Kumaon, especially from Lobanj, Bageshwar district, is much sought after. Most commonly it is boiled in tamarind water until tender, then diced into cubes which are stir-fried in mustard oil with fenugreek leaves. Another technique for preparation is boiling it in salt water till it is reduced to a porridge. The young leaves called ''gaaba'', are steamed, sun-dried, and stored for later use. Taro leaves and stems are pickled. Crushed leaves and stems are mixed with de-husked ''urad daal'' (black lentils) and then dried as small balls called ''badi''. These stems may also be sun-dried and stored for later use. On auspicious days, women worship ''saptarshi'' ("seven sages") and only eat rice with taro leaves.

In Maharashtra, in western India, the leaves, called ''alu che paana'', are de-veined and rolled with a paste of gram flour. Then seasoned with tamarind paste, red chili powder, turmeric, coriander, [[Biology:Asafoetida|asafoetida]] and salt, and finally steamed. These can be eaten whole, cut into pieces, or shallow fried and eaten as a snack known as ''alu chi wadi''. ''Alu chya panan chi patal bhaji'' a lentil and colocasia leaves curry, is also popular. In Goan as well as Konkani cuisine taro leaves are very popular. A tall-growing variety of taro is extensively used on the western coast of India to make ''patrode'', ''patrade'', or ''patrada'' (lit. "leaf-pancake") a dish with gram flour, tamarind and other spices.

In Gujarat, it is called ''patar vel'' or ''saryia na paan''. Gram flour, salt, turmeric, red chili powder made into paste and stuffed inside a roll of green taro leaves. Then steamed and in small portions and then fried.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sanjanafeasts.co.uk/2020/10/perfect-patra-timpa-alu-vadi/ |title=Perfect Patra (Timpa/Alu Vadi) |date=8 October 2020 |publisher=Sanjana Feasts |access-date=12 November 2022}}</ref>

Sindhis call it ''kachaloo''; they fry it, compress it, and re-fry it to make a dish called ''tuk'' which complements Sindhi curry.

In Kerala, a state in southern India, taro corms are known as ''chembu kizhangu'' (ചേമ്പ് കിഴങ്ങ്) and are a staple food, a side dish, and an ingredient in various side dishes like sambar. As a staple food, it is steamed and eaten with a spicy chutney of green chilies, tamarind, and shallots. The leaves and stems of certain varieties of taro are also used as a vegetable in Kerala. In Dakshin Kannada in Karnataka, it is used as a breakfast dish, either made like fritters or steamed.

In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, taro corms are known as ''sivapan-kizhangu'' (''seppankilangu'' or ''cheppankilangu''), ''chamagadda'', or in coastal Andhra districts as ''chaama dumpa''. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as by deep-frying the steamed and sliced corms in oil known as ''chamadumpa chips'' to be eaten on the side with rice, or cooking in a tangy tamarind sauce with spices, onion, and tomato.

In the east Indian state of West Bengal, taro corms are thinly sliced and fried to make chips called ''kochu bhaja''(কচু ভাজা). The stem is used to cook ''kochur saag'' (কচুর শাগ) with fried hilsha (ilish) head or boiled ''chhola'' (chickpea), often eaten as a starter with hot rice. The corms are also made into a paste with spices and eaten with rice. The most popular dish is a spicy curry made with prawn and taro corms. ''Gathi kochu'' (গাঠি কচু) (taro variety) are very popular and used to make a thick curry called ''gathi kochur dal'' (গাঠি কচুর ডাল). Here ''kochur loti'' (কচুর লতি) (taro stolon) dry curry<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.favcounter.com/bengali-style-kochur-loti-recipe/|title=Bengali style kochur loti dish, Taro stolon curry|date=2 May 2019|website=FavCounter|language=en-US|access-date=}}</ref> is a popular dish which is usually prepared with poppy seeds and mustard paste. Leaves and corms of ''shola kochu'' (শলা কচু) and ''maan kochu'' (মান কচু) are also used to make some popular traditional dishes.

In Mithila, Bihar, taro corms are known as ''ədua'' (अडुआ) and its leaves are called ''ədikunch ke paat'' (अड़िकंच के पात). A curry of taro leaves is made with mustard paste and sour sun-dried mango pulp (आमिल; {{lang|hi|aamil}}).

In Odisha, taro corms are known as ''saru''. Dishes made of taro include ''saru besara'' (taro in mustard and garlic paste). It is also an indispensable ingredient in preparing ''dalma'', an Odia cuisine staple (vegetables cooked with [[Biology:Dal|dal]]). Sliced taro corms, deep fried in oil and mixed with red chili powder and salt, are known as ''saru'' chips.

=====Maldives=====
''Ala'' was widely grown in the southern atolls of Addu Atoll, Fuvahmulah, Huvadhu Atoll, and Laamu Atoll and is considered a staple even after rice was introduced. ''Ala'' and ''olhu ala'' are still widely eaten all over the Maldives, cooked or steamed with salt to taste, and eaten with grated coconut along with chili paste and fish soup. It is also prepared as a curry. The corms are sliced and fried to make chips and are also used to prepare varieties of sweets.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Romero-Frias|first=Xavier|title=Eating on the Islands|journal=HIMĀL Southasian|volume=26|pages=69–91|number=2}}</ref>

=====Nepal=====
[[File:Arikanchan.jpg|thumb|Arikanchan is prepared from taro leaves, black lentils paste and spices in mostly the Eastern Terai of Nepal, is traditional and indigenous food.]]
Taro is grown in the Terai and the hilly regions of Nepal. The root (corm) of taro is known as ''pindalu'' (पिँडालु) and petioles with leaves are known as ''karkalo'' (कर्कलो), ''Gava'' (गाभा) and also Kaichu (केेेैचु) in Maithili. Almost all parts are eaten in different dishes.  Boiled corm of Taro is commonly served with salt, spices, and chilies. Taro is a popular dish in the hilly region. Chopped leaves and petioles are mixed with ''Urad'' bean flour to make dried balls called ''maseura'' (मस्यौरा). Large taro leaves are used as an alternative to an umbrella when unexpected rain occurs. Popular attachment to taro since ancient times is reflected in popular culture, such as in songs and textbooks. ''Jivan hamro karkala ko pani jastai ho'' (जीवन हाम्रो कर्कलाको पानी जस्तै हो) means, "Our life is as vulnerable as water stuck in the leaf of taro".

Taro is cultivated and eaten by the Tharu people in the Inner Terai as well.  Roots are mixed with dried fish and turmeric, then dried in cakes called ''sidhara'' which are curried with radish, chili, garlic and other spices to accompany rice.  The Tharu prepare the leaves in a fried vegetable side-dish that also shows up in Maithili cuisine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mithilacuisine.blogspot.com/|title=Mithila Cuisine|work=mithilacuisine.blogspot.com}}</ref>

=====Pakistan=====
[[File:Arvi Gosht.jpg|thumb|left|Arvi gosht]]
In Pakistan, taro or ''eddoe'' or ''arvi'' is a very common dish served with or without gravy; a popular dish is ''arvi gosht'', which includes beef, lamb or mutton. The leaves are rolled along with gram flour batter and then fried or steamed to make a dish called ''Pakora'', which is finished by tempering with red chilies and carrom ([[Biology:Ajwain|ajwain]]) seeds. Taro or ''arvi'' is also cooked with chopped spinach. The dish called ''Arvi Palak'' is the second most renowned dish made of Taro.

=====Sri Lanka=====
Many varieties are recorded in Sri Lanka, several being edible, most being toxic to humans and, therefore, are not grown. Edible varieties (such as ''kiri ala'', ''kolakana ala'', ''gahala'', and ''sevel ala'') are grown for their corms and leaves. Sri Lankans eat corms after boiling them or making them into a curry with coconut milk. Some varieties of the leaves of , ''kolakana ala'' and '' kalu alakola'' are eaten.

====Middle East and Europe====
Taro was consumed by the early Romans in much the same way the potato is today. They called this root vegetable ''colocasia''. The Roman cookbook ''Apicius'' mentions several methods for preparing taro, including boiling, preparing with sauces, and cooking with meat or fowl. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the use of taro dwindled in Europe. This was largely due to the decline of trade and commerce with Egypt, previously controlled by Rome. When the Spanish and Portuguese sailed to the new world, they brought taro along with them. Recently{{When|date=April 2011}} there has been renewed interest in exotic foods and consumption is increasing.

=====Cyprus=====
In [[Place:Cyprus|Cyprus]], taro has been in use since the time of the Roman Empire.<ref>{{cite book | title=The Cambridge World History of Food | publisher=Cambridge University Press | date=7 December 2000 | isbn=978-1-139-05863-6 | doi=10.1017/chol9780521402149 | page=224 | editor-last1=Kiple | editor-last2=Ornelas | editor-first1=Kenneth F. | editor-first2=Kriemhild Coneè }}</ref><ref>{{citation|last1=Petterson |first1=J |title=Dissemination and use of the edible aroids with particular reference to Colocasia (Asian Taro) and Xanthosoma (American Taro) |work=Ph.D. thesis (1977) |publisher=University of Florida}}</ref> Today it is known as ''kolokas'' in Turkish or ''kolokasi'' (κολοκάσι) in Greek, which comes from the [[Social:Ancient Greek|Ancient Greek]] name κολοκάσιον (''kolokasion'') for lotus root. It is usually sauteed with [[Biology:Celery|celery]] and [[Biology:Onion|onion]] with pork, [[Biology:Chicken|chicken]] or lamb, in a tomato sauce – a vegetarian version is also available. The cormlets are called ''poulles'' (sing. ''poulla''), and they are prepared by first being sauteed, followed by decaramelising the vessel with dry [[Red wine|red wine]] and coriander seeds, and finally served with freshly squeezed [[Biology:Lemon|lemon]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Kolokasi (Taro Root) | website=VisitCyprus | date=5 November 2015 | url=https://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/gastronomy/local-recipes/360-kolokasi-taro-root | access-date=19 November 2023}}</ref>

=====Greece=====
In Greece, taro grows on [[Biography:Icaria|Icaria]]. Icarians credit taro for saving them from famine during [[Social:World War II|World War II]]. They boil it until tender and serve it as a salad.

=====Lebanon=====
In Lebanon, taro is known as ''kilkass'' and is grown mainly along the Mediterranean coast. The leaves and stems are not consumed in Lebanon and the variety grown produces round to slightly oblong tubers that vary in size from a tennis ball to a small cantaloupe. ''Kilkass'' is a very popular winter dish in Lebanon and is prepared in two ways: ''kilkass'' with lentils is a stew flavored with crushed garlic and lemon juice and ''’il’as'' (Lebanese pronunciation of {{linktext|قلقاس|lang=ar}}) ''bi-tahini''. Another common method of preparing taro is to boil, peel then slice it into {{cvt|1|cm|in|frac=4}} thick slices, before frying and marinating in edible "red" [[Biology:Sumac|sumac]].
In northern Lebanon, it is known as a potato with the name ''borshoushi'' (''el-orse borshushi''). It is also prepared as part of a lentil soup with crushed garlic and lemon juice. Also in the north, it is known by the name ''bouzmet'', mainly around Menieh, where it is first peeled, and left to dry in the sun for a couple of days. After that, it is stir-fried in lots of vegetable oil in a casserole until golden brown, then a large amount of wedged, melted onions are added, in addition to water, chickpeas and some seasoning. These are all left to simmer for a few hours, and the result is a stew-like dish. It is considered a hard-to-make delicacy, not only because of the tedious preparation but the consistency and flavour that the taro must reach. The smaller variety of taro is more popular in the north due to its tenderness.

=====Portugal=====
In the Azores taro is known as ''inhame'' or ''inhame-coco'' and is commonly steamed with potatoes, vegetables and meats or [[Biology:Fish|fish]]. The leaves are sometimes cooked into soups and stews. It is also consumed as a dessert after first being steamed and peeled, then fried in vegetable oil or lard, and finally sprinkled with [[Chemistry:Sugar|sugar]], [[Biology:Cinnamon|cinnamon]] and [[Biology:Nutmeg|nutmeg]]. Taro grows abundantly in the fertile land of the Azores, as well as in creeks that are fed by mineral springs. Through migration to other countries, the ''inhame'' is found in the Azorean diaspora.

=====Turkey=====
Taro ({{lang-tr|gölevez}}) is grown in the south coast of [[Place:Turkey|Turkey]], especially in Mersin, Bozyazı, Anamur and Antalya. It is boiled in a tomato sauce or cooked with meat, beans and [[Biology:Chickpea|chickpea]]s. It is often used as a substitute for [[Biology:Potato|potato]].

====Africa====

=====Egypt=====
In Egypt, taro is known as ''qolqas'' ({{lang-arz|قلقاس}}, {{IPA-arz|ʔolˈʔæːs|IPA}}). The corms are larger than what would be found in [[Earth:North America|North America]]n supermarkets. After being peeled completely, it is cooked in one of two ways: cut into small cubes and cooked in broth with fresh [[Biology:Coriander|coriander]] and [[Biology:Chard|chard]] and served as an accompaniment to meat stew, or sliced and cooked with minced meat and tomato sauce.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colcasia قلقاس |url=http://egyptian-cuisine-recipes.com/vegetables/colcasia-%D9%82%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3.html |access-date=2018-10-19 |website=egyptian-cuisine-recipes.com}}</ref>

=====Canarias=====
Taro has remained popular in the Canary Islands where it is known as ''ñame'' and is often used in thick vegetable stews, like ''potaje de berros'' (cress potage)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Potaje de Berros |url=http://www.culturatradicionalgc.org/Gastronomia-Tradicional/Primer-Plato/Potaje-de-Berros.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529190157/http://www.culturatradicionalgc.org/Gastronomia-Tradicional/Primer-Plato/Potaje-de-Berros.html |archive-date=2014-05-29 |access-date=2018-10-19 |website=culturatradicionalgc.org}}</ref>  or simply boiled and seasoned with mojo or honey.  In [[Social:Spanish language|Canarian Spanish]] the word ''Ñame'' refers to Taro, while in other variants of Castilian is normally used to designate [[Biology:Yam (vegetable)|yams]].

=====East Africa=====
[[File:Njahi, Nduma, Chapati, Kachumbari, chicken - an average Kikuyu party mix.JPG|thumb|Njahi, Nduma, Chapati, Kachumbari, chicken - an average Kikuyu party mix]]
In Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, taro is commonly known as ''arrow root'', yam, amayuni (plural) or ejjuni (singular), {{lang|bnt|ggobe}}, or {{lang|bnt|nduma}} and {{lang|bnt|madhumbe}} in some local [[Social:Bantu languages|Bantu languages]]. There are several varieties and each variety has its own local name. It is usually boiled and eaten with tea or other beverages, or as the main [[Chemistry:Starch|starch]] of a meal. It is also cultivated in {{wipe|Madagascar}}, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

=====South Africa=====
It is known as {{lang|zu|amadumbe}} (plural) or {{lang|zu|idumbe}} (singular) in the Zulu language of Southern Africa.

=====West Africa=====
[[File:Pileuse de taro.jpg|thumb|left|Preparing taro in Cameroon]]
Taro is consumed as a staple crop in [[Place:West Africa|West Africa]], particularly in Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.  It is called ''cocoyam'' in Nigeria, Ghana and Anglophone Cameroon, ''macabo'' in Francophone Cameroon, in Democratic Republic of Congo or Republic of Congo ''mbálá ya makoko'', ''mankani'' in [[Social:Hausa language|Hausa language]], {{lang|yo|koko}} and {{lang|yo|lambo}} in [[Social:Yoruba language|Yoruba]], and {{lang|ig|ede}} in [[Social:Igbo language|Igbo language]]. ''Cocoyam'' is often boiled, fried, or roasted and eaten with a sauce. In Ghana, it substitutes for plantain in making ''fufu'' when plantains are out of season. It is also cut into small pieces to make a soupy baby food and appetizer called ''mpotompoto''. It is also common in Ghana to find ''cocoyam chips'' (deep-fried slices, about {{cvt|1|mm|in|frac=32}} thick). ''Cocoyam'' leaves, locally called ''kontomire'' in Ghana, are a popular vegetable for local sauces such as palaver sauce and egusi/agushi stew.<ref>ghanaian cuisine</ref> It is also commonly consumed in Guinea and parts of Senegal, as a leaf sauce or as a vegetable side, and is referred to as ''jaabere'' in the local Pulaar dialect.

====Americas====

=====Brazil=====
In Lusophone countries, ''inhame'' (pronounced {{IPA-pt|ĩ ˈɲɐ̃mi}}, {{IPA-pt|ˈɲɐ̃mi}} or {{IPA-pt|ĩ ˈɲɐ̃mi}}, literally "[[Biology:Yam (vegetable)|yam]]") and ''cará'' are the common names for various plants with edible parts of the genera ''[[Biology:Alocasia|Alocasia]]'', ''[[Biology:Colocasia|Colocasia]]'' (family [[Biology:Araceae|Araceae]]) and ''[[Biology:Dioscorea|Dioscorea]]'' (family [[Biology:Dioscoreaceae|Dioscoreaceae]]), and its respective starchy edible parts, generally [[Biology:Tuber|tuber]]s, with the exception of ''[[Biology:Dioscorea bulbifera|Dioscorea bulbifera]]'', called ''cará-moela'' (pronounced {{IPA-pt|kɐˈɾa muˈɛlɐ}}, literally, "[[Biology:Gizzard|gizzard]] yam"), in Brazil and never deemed to be an ''inhame''. Definitions of what constitutes an ''inhame'' and a ''cará'' vary regionally, but the common understanding in {{wipe|Brazil}} is that ''carás'' are potato-like in shape, while ''inhames'' are more oblong.

In the Brazilian Portuguese of the hotter and drier Northeastern region, both ''inhames'' and ''carás'' are called ''batata'' (literally, "potato"). For differentiation, potatoes are called ''batata-inglesa'' (literally, "English potato"), a name used in other regions and [[Social:Sociolect|sociolect]]s to differentiate it from the ''batata-doce'', "[[Biology:Sweet potato|sweet potato]]", ironic names since both were first cultivated by the indigenous peoples of [[Earth:South America|South America]], their native continent, and only later introduced in Europe by the colonizers.

Taros are often prepared like potatoes, eaten boiled, stewed or mashed, generally with salt and sometimes [[Biology:Garlic|garlic]] as a condiment, as part of a meal (most often lunch or dinner).

=====Central America=====
In Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama, taro is eaten in soups, as a replacement for potatoes, and as chips. It is known locally as ''malanga'' (also ''malanga coco''), a word of Bantu origin, and ''dasheen'' in Belize and Costa Rica, ''quiquizque'' in Nicaragua, and as ''otoe'' in Panama.

=====Haiti=====
In Haiti, it is usually called ''malanga'', or ''taro''. The corm is grated into a paste and deep-fried to make a fritter called ''Acra''. ''Acra'' is a very popular street food in Haiti.

=====Jamaica=====
In Jamaica, taro is known as ''coco'', ''cocoyam'' and ''dasheen''. Corms with flesh which is white throughout are referred to as ''minty-coco''. The leaves are also used to make Pepper Pot Soup which may include [[Biology:Callaloo|callaloo]].

=====Suriname=====
In Suriname it is called ''tayer'', ''taya'', ''pomtayer'' or ''pongtaya''. The taro root is called ''aroei'' by the native Indians and is commonly known as "Chinese ''tayer''". The variety known as ''eddoe'' is also called Chinese ''tayer''. It is a popular cultivar among the Maroon population in the interior, also because it is not adversely affected by high water levels. The ''dasheen'' variety, commonly planted in swamps, is rare, although appreciated for its taste. The closely related ''Xanthosoma'' species is the base for the popular Surinamese dish pom. The cooked taro leaf (''taya-wiri'', or ''tayerblad'') is also a well-known green leafy vegetable.

=====Trinidad and Tobago=====
In Trinidad and Tobago, it is called ''dasheen''. The leaves of the taro plant are used to make the Trinidadian variant of the Caribbean dish known as [[Biology:Callaloo|callaloo]] (which is made with okra, ''dasheen''/taro leaves, coconut milk or creme and aromatic herbs) and it is also prepared similarly to steamed spinach. The root of the taro plant is often served boiled, accompanied by stewed fish or meat, curried, often with peas and eaten with roti, or in soups. The leaves are also sauteed with onions, hot pepper and garlic til they are melted to make a dish called "bhaji". This dish is popular with Indo-Trinidadian people. The leaves are also fried in a split pea batter to make "saheena", a fritter of Indian origin.

=====United States=====
[[File:Taro sticks for sale.jpg|thumb|Taro leaf-stems (petioles) for sale at a market in California, 2009]]
Taro has been grown for centuries in the United States.  William Bartram observed South Carolina Sea Islands residents eating roasted roots of the plant, which they called ''tanya'', in 1791, and by the 19th century it was common as a food crop from Charleston to Louisiana.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shields |first1=David |last2=Spratt |first2=Stephen |title=Tanya |url=http://www.digitalussouth.org/vegetable/vegetable.php?vegName=Tanya |website=American Heritage Vegetables |publisher=University of South Carolina Center for Digital Humanities |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
In the 1920s, ''dasheen''{{refn|group=nb|The word ''dasheen'' originated in Trinidad and is said to be a corruption of ''de la Chine'' or ''da Chine'', i.e. ''taro de la Chine''.<ref name="Young">Robert A. Young. [https://books.google.com/books?id=g31NAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA11-PA25 "The Dasheen: A Root Crop for the Southern States."] Circular 127-C. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, 17 May 1913. p. 26.</ref>}}, as it was known, was highly touted by the Secretary of the Florida Department of Agriculture as a valuable crop for growth in muck fields.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112019277166;view=2up;seq=10|title=The dasheen: a tropical root crop for the South / [by W.H. Hodge].|website=HathiTrust Digital Library|publisher=Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1954.|access-date=15 February 2016}}</ref> Fellsmere, Florida, near the east coast, was a farming area deemed perfect for growing ''dasheen''. It was used in place of potatoes and dried to make flour. ''Dasheen'' flour was said to make excellent pancakes when mixed with wheat flour.

Poi is a Hawaiian cuisine staple food made from taro.  Traditional poi is produced by mashing cooked starch on a wooden pounding board ({{lang|haw|papa ku{{okina}}i {{okina}}ai}}), with a carved pestle ({{lang|haw|pōhaku ku{{okina}}i {{okina}}ai}}) made from basalt, calcite, coral, or wood.<ref>{{cite web |title=papa kui ai |url=https://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.85/cgi-bin/hdict?a=q&r=1&hs=1&m=-1&o=-1&qto=4&e=d-11000-00---off-0hdict--00-1----0-10-0---0---0direct-10-ED--4--textpukuielbert%252ctextmamaka-----0-1l--11-haw-Zz-1---Zz-1-home-pohaku%2Bkui%2Bai--00-4-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-00-0utfZz-8-00&q=papa+kui+ai&fqv=textpukuielbert%252ctextmamaka&af=1&fqf=ED#hero-bottom-banner |website=wehewehe.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=pohaku kui ai |url=https://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.85/cgi-bin/hdict?a=q&r=1&hs=1&m=-1&o=-1&qto=4&e=d-11000-00---off-0hdict--00-1----0-10-0---0---0direct-10-ED--4--textpukuielbert%252ctextmamaka-----0-1l--11-haw-Zz-1---Zz-1-home-papa%2Bkui%2Bai--00-4-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-00-0utfZz-8-00&q=pohaku+kui+ai&fqv=textpukuielbert%252ctextmamaka&af=1&fqf=ED#hero-bottom-banner |website=wehewehe.org}}</ref> Modern methods use an industrial [[Engineering:Food processor|food processor]] to produce large quantities for retail distribution. This initial paste is called {{lang|haw|pa{{okina}}i&nbsp;{{okina}}ai}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nā Puke Wehewehe ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi |url=https://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.85/cgi-bin/hdict?a=q&r=1&hs=1&m=-1&o=-1&qto=4&e=q-11000-00---off-0hdict--00-1----0-10-0---0---0direct-10-ED--4--textpukuielbert%252ctextmamaka-----0-1l--11-haw-Zz-1---Zz-1-home-pa%2527i%2527ai--00-4-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-00-0utfZz-8-00&q=pai+ai&fqv=textpukuielbert%252ctextmamaka&af=1&fqf=ED#hero-bottom-banner |website=wehewehe.org}}</ref> Water is added to the paste during mashing, and again just before eating, to achieve the desired consistency, which can range from highly [[Physics:Viscosity|viscous]] to liquid. In Hawaii, this is informally classified as either "one-finger", "two-finger", or "three-finger", alluding to how many fingers are required to scoop it up (the thicker the poi, the fewer fingers required to scoop a sufficient mouthful).<ref>Robert Trumbull, [https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/31/travel/in-hawaii-poi-is-the-staff-of-life.html "In Hawaii, Poi is the Staff of Life"], ''The New York Times'', 31 Oct. 1982</ref>


Since the late 20th century, taro chips have been available in many supermarkets and natural food stores, and taro is often used in American Chinatowns, in Chinese cuisine.

=====Venezuela=====
[[File:Sopa de Gallina.JPG|thumb|left|Chopped taro for preparing sopa de gallina]]
In Venezuela, taro is called ''ocumo chino'' or ''chino'' and used in soups and ''sancochos''. Soups contain large chunks of several kinds of tubers, including ''ocumo chino'', especially in the eastern part of the country, where West Indian influence is present. It is also used to accompany meats in ''parrillas'' (barbecue) or fried cured fish where [[Biology:Cassava|yuca]] is not available. ''Ocumo'' is an indigenous name; ''chino'' means "Chinese", an adjective for produce that is considered exotic. ''Ocumo'' without the Chinese denomination is a tuber from the same family, but without taro's inside purplish color. ''Ocumo'' is the Venezuelan name for [[Biology:Xanthosoma|malanga]], so ''ocumo chino'' means "Chinese malanga". Taro is always prepared boiled. No porridge form is known in the local cuisine.

=====West Indies=====
Taro is called ''dasheen'',<ref name="Young" /> in contrast to the smaller variety of corms called ''[[Biology:Eddoe|eddo]]'', or ''tanya'' in the English speaking countries of the [[Place:West Indies|West Indies]], and is cultivated and consumed as a staple crop in the region. There are differences among the roots mentioned above: taro or ''dasheen'' is mostly blue when cooked, ''tanya'' is white and very dry, and ''eddoes'' are small and very slimy.

In the Spanish-speaking countries of the Spanish West Indies taro is called ''ñame'', the Portuguese variant of which (''inhame'') is used in former Portuguese colonies where taro is still cultivated, including the Azores and {{wipe|Brazil}}.  In Puerto Rico<ref>{{cite web | author=Univision | title=Boricuas lanzarán una alcapurria al espacio [Puerto Ricans will launch an "alcapurria" to space ]| website=Univision | url=https://www.univision.com/entretenimiento/curiosidades/boricuas-lanzaran-una-alcapurria-al-espacio | access-date=2020-12-31}}</ref> and Cuba, and the Dominican Republic it is sometimes called ''malanga'' or ''yautia''.  In some countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and [[Earth:Dominica|Dominica]], the leaves and stem of the ''dasheen'', or taro, are most often cooked and pureed into a thick liquid called [[Biology:Callaloo|callaloo]], which is served as a side dish similar to creamed spinach. ''Callaloo'' is sometimes prepared with [[Biology:Crab|crab]] legs, coconut milk, pumpkin, and okra. It is usually served alongside rice or made into a soup along with various other roots.

=== Ornamental ===
It is also sold as an ornamental plant, often by the name of '''elephant ears'''. It can be grown indoors or outdoors with high humidity. In the UK, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.<ref name="RHSPF">{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/4248/Colocasia-esculenta/Details | title = ''Colocasia esculenta'' | website = www.rhs.org | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 12 April 2020}}</ref>
[[File:A variety of taro plant at Mount Isarog National Park.jpg|alt=3 taro plants at Mount Isarog National Park. The plants have matured to the point that the once green leaves now appear black.|thumb|A matured variation of taro plant. With dark leaves that appear black, it's often referred to as "Black Magic".]]

=== Laboratory ===
It is also used for [[Chemistry:Anthocyanin|anthocyanin]] study experiments, especially with reference to abaxial and adaxial anthocyanic concentration.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hughes|first1=Nicole M|last2=Carpenter|first2=Kaylyn L|last3=Keidel|first3=Timothy S|last4=Miller|first4=Charlene N|last5=Waters|first5=Matthew N|last6=Smith|first6=William K|year=2014|title=Photosynthetic costs and benefits of abaxial versus adaxial anthocyanins in Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito'|journal=Planta|volume=240|issue=5|pages=971–981|doi=10.1007/s00425-014-2090-6|pmid=24903360|bibcode=2014Plant.240..971H |s2cid=14306228}}</ref> A recent study has revealed honeycomb-like microstructures on the taro leaf that make the leaves superhydrophobic. The measured [[Physics:Contact angle|contact angle]] on the leaf in this study is around 148°.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kumar|first1=Manish|last2=Bhardwaj|title=Wetting characteristics of Colocasia esculenta (Taro) leaf and a bioinspired surface thereof|journal=Scientific Reports|year=2020|volume=10|issue=1|pages=935|doi=10.1038/s41598-020-57410-2|pmid=31969578|bibcode=2020NatSR..10..935K|doi-access=free|pmc=6976613}}</ref>

In Melissa K. Nelson's article ''Protecting the Sanctity of Native Foods,'' scientists at the University of Hawaii attempted to patent and genetically alter taro before being dissuaded by activists and farmers, "In 2006, the University of Hawaii withdrew its patents on the three varieties and agreed to stop genetically modifying Hawaii forms of taro. Researchers continue to experiment with modifying a Chinese form of taro, however."<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/839547649 |title=State of the world 2013 : is sustainability still possible? |date=2013 |others=Linda Starke, Erik Assadourian, Tom Prugh, Worldwatch Institute |isbn=978-1-61091-458-1 |volume=2013 |location=Washington, DC |oclc=839547649}}</ref>

== In culture ==
In Meitei mythology and Meitei folklore of Manipur, Taro ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯄꯥꯟ}}|paan}}) plants are mentioned. One significant instance is the Meitei folktale of the {{langnf|mni|Hanuba Hanubi Paan Thaaba|Old Man and Old Woman planting Taro}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-04-16|title=Paan Thaba staged |newspaper=Pothashang News|url=https://www.pothashang.in/2018/04/16/paan-thaba-staged/|access-date=2021-04-12 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-06-07|title=Planting Taro: Subverting the Tale |newspaper=Pothashang News|url=https://www.pothashang.in/2018/06/07/planting-taro-subverting-tale/|access-date=2021-04-12 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In this story, an old man and an old woman, were deceived by some monkeys regarding the planting of the Taro plants in a very different way.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.language.1358/page/n51/mode/1up|title=Folktales of Manipur|last1=B. Jayantakumar Sharma|last2=Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh|date=2014|page=51}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TpM8DAAAQBAJ&dq=hanube+and+hanuba&pg=PT33|title=New Folktales of Manipur|last=Oinam|first=James|date=2016-05-26|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-1-945400-70-4|page=33|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TpM8DAAAQBAJ&dq=hanube+and+hanuba&pg=PT34|title=New Folktales of Manipur|last=Oinam|first=James|date=2016-05-26|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-1-945400-70-4|page=34|language=en}}</ref>
The old man and woman followed the monkeys' advice, peeling off the best tubers of the plants, then boiling them in a pot until softened and after cooling them off, wrapping them in banana leaves and putting them inside the soils of the grounds.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.language.1358/page/n52/mode/1up|title=Folktales of Manipur|last1=B. Jayantakumar Sharma|last2=Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh|date=2014|page=52}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TpM8DAAAQBAJ&dq=hanube+and+hanuba&pg=PT35|title=New Folktales of Manipur|last=Oinam|first=James|date=2016-05-26|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-1-945400-70-4|page=35|language=en}}</ref>
In the middle of the night, the monkeys secretly came into the farm and ate all the well cooked plants. After their eating, they (monkeys) planted some inedible giant wild plants in the place where the old couple had placed the cooked plant tubers. In the morning, the old couple were amazed to see the plants getting fully grown up just after one day of planting the tubers. They were unaware of the tricks of the monkeys. So, the old couple cooked and ate the inedible wild Taro plants. As a reaction of eating the wild plants, they suffered from the unbearable tingling sensation in their [[Medicine:Throat|throat]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.language.1358/page/n53/mode/1up|title=Folktales of Manipur|last1=B. Jayantakumar Sharma|last2=Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh|date=2014|page=53}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TpM8DAAAQBAJ&dq=hanube+and+hanuba&pg=PT36|title=New Folktales of Manipur|last=Oinam|first=James|date=2016-05-26|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-1-945400-70-4|page=36|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Oinam 37">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TpM8DAAAQBAJ&dq=hanube+and+hanuba&pg=PT37|title=New Folktales of Manipur|last=Oinam|first=James|date=2016-05-26|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-1-945400-70-4|page=37|language=en}}</ref>

Native Hawaiians believe that the taro plant (''kalo'') grew out of the still-born body of one of the first two humans conceived by gods Hoʻohokukalani and [[Religion:Wākea|Wākea]];<ref>{{cite book|first=Danny|last=Malo|date=1838|language=haw|title=Moʻolelo Hawaiʻi|trans-title=Hawaiian Antiquities}}</ref> thus is connected to humans more than just providing sustenance. Thus, it is often a part of sacred offerings given in ceremonies.
== See also ==
* Aquatic plants
* [[Biology:Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia|Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia]]
* [[Biology:List of vegetables|List of vegetables]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite news|last=Hao |first=Sean |title=Rain, pests and disease shrink taro production to record low |publisher=Honolulu Advertiser |date=February 2, 2006 |page=C1}}
* [http://www.nokaoimagazine.com/Features/v.11n.5/The_Future_of_Kalo.html "The Future of Kalo"] Maui No Ka 'Oi Magazine Vol.11 No. 5 (August 2006).
* {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008141943/http://www.mauimagazine.net/Maui-Magazine/July-August-2007/Powered-by-Poi|archive-date=October 8, 2011|url=http://www.mauimagazine.net/Maui-Magazine/July-August-2007/Powered-by-Poi |title=Powered by Poi |publisher=Maui No Ka 'Oi Magazine |volume=11 |issue=4 |date=July 2007}}
* {{Cite web |title=HS592/MV059: Dasheen—Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott. |url=https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MV059 |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=edis.ifas.ufl.edu |language=en|last=Stephens|first=James M. |publisher=Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida|date= May 1994 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.green-seeds.com/taro.html |title=Taro climate (taro growing methods)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927000048/http://green-seeds.com/taro.html |archive-date=2010-09-27 |date=2010-09-27 |website= Green-Seeds.com }}
* [http://www.fijitaro.com/taro/history.html Taveuni Taro] at fijitaro.com (Fiji taro industry history)
* {{cite news|last=Viotti |first=V. |title=Honolulu Advertiers|publisher=Honolulu Advertiser |date=March 16, 2004}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Wagner|first1=Warren Lambert |first2=D. R. |last2=Herbst |first3=S. H. |last3=Sohmer|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/833763927 |title=Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai'i. |date=1999 |publisher=Univ. of Hawaii Press |oclc=833763927|volume= 2 |page=1357}}
* {{Cite book |last=Cho |first= J. J. (John Jayson) |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/299067250 |title=Hawaiian kalo, past and future |date=2007 |publisher=Cooperative Extension Service, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa |oclc=299067250}} [http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/SA-1.pdf PDF]
* {{Cite web |title=Kupuna Kalo |url=https://www.kupunakalo.com/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=www.kupunakalo.com|year=2012|last=Yap |first=Weston}} 
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mauitheatre.com/blog/ulalena-character-spotlight-kalo-taro-root/Kalo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212021140/http://www.mauitheatre.com/blog/ulalena-character-spotlight-kalo-taro-root/Kalo |archive-date=2020-02-12 |title=Kalo cultural significance in Hawaiian history}}
* {{Cite web |title=USA - Hawaii - Restoring the Life of the Land: Taro Patches in Hawai'i {{!}} The EcoTipping Points Project |url=https://ecotippingpoints.org/our-stories/indepth/usa-hawaii-taro-agriculture.html |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=ecotippingpoints.org}}
* [http://www.healthaliciousness.com/nutritionfacts/nutrition-comparison.php?o=11518&t=11519&h=&s=100&e=100&r=100 Complete Nutrition Facts for Taro]

== External links ==
{{Commons|Colocasia esculenta|Taro}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q227997}}

[[Category:Aroideae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

{{Sourceattribution|Taro}}