Giant Taro is commonly found in the tropical latitudes. The roots and leaves contain the oxalate crystals due to which one experience itchiness in the mouth. In Vietnam, the roots and leaves are used to feed animals. In India, it is commonly cultivated as the decorative plant. The roots of Giant taro resemble the flavor of potato. It is a great source of phosphorus, iron and Vitamin C.
| Name | Giant Taro |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alocasia macrorrhizos |
| Native | Native to tropical Asia. It was originated from India, Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka and also spread to Oceania and Asian tropical countries. |
| Common/English Name | Ape, Egyptian Lily, Big Rooted Taro, Elephant’s Ear, Giant Elephant Ear, Giant Alocasia, Roasting Coco, Giant Taro, Upright Elephant Ear |
| Name in Other Languages | Arabic: El-Emlak, Australia: Cunjevoi, Bangladesh: Mankachu, Brazil: Inhame Gigante, Burmese: Pein-Mohawaya, Chinese: Hai Yu, Chuukese: Kachik, Cook Islands: Kape, Czech: Alokázie, Danish: Kæmpetaro, Eastonian: Suurejuureline Alokaasia, Fais: Fila, Fijian: Via Gaga, Finnish: Jättialokasia French: Alocasie, French Haiti: mazumbel, German: Alokasie Guyana: Hog Tannia India:– Assamese: Boro-Mankachu, Bengali: Mankachu, Goan: Cureas, Gujarathi: Alavu, Hindi: Mankanda, Kannada: Baalaraaksha, Konkani: Kasali, Malayalam: Seema Chembu, Manipuri: Hongngoo, Marathi: Kaasaalu, Sanskrit: Hastikarnah, Tamil: Kacakarni, Telugu: Sarachema, Tuli: Chevu, Hawaiian: Apii Hebrew: Alocasia Hungarian: Táró Ifaluk: File I – Kiribati: Te Kabe, Indonesia:– Javanese: Bira, Maluku: Mira, Nusa Tenggara: Biah, Sulawesi: Bira, Sumatra: Ababa, Sundanese: Taleus Sente, Italian: Alocasia, Japanese: Dokuimo, Kapingamarangi: Ngaungau, Kosrae: Onak Owa, Khmer: K’da:T Haôra Lamotrek: File Laotian: Kaph’uk Latvian: Lielsakņu Alokāzija Lesser Antilles: Giant Tayo Malaysia: Birah Negeri, Marquesan: Kape Marshallese: Wat, Murilo: Oht, Nomwin, Namoluk: Ka, Namonweito: Oot, Nepali: Ghampe Tarul, New Caledonia: Aware, Niuean: Kape Palauan: Bisech, Papua New Guinea: Abir, Paragum, Pia, Via Philippines:– Bikol: Talipan, Bisaya: Badiang, Bontok: Bilbila, Ibanag: Aba, Ifugao: Bilan Mumpaha, Igorot: Aba-Aba, Iloko: Bira, Pampangan: Biga, Tagalog: Badiang, Pohnpeian: Cha, Polish: Alokazja, Polynesia: Ape, Portuguese: Inhame Monstro, Puerto Rico: Yautía Cimarrona, Rarotongan: Kape, Samoan: Ta’amu, Satawalese: File, Spanish: Malanga, Swahili: Magimbi, Tahitian: Ape, Thai: Kradatdam, Tokelau: Ta’amu, Tongan: Kape, Turkish: Alokasye, Tuvalu: Ta’amu, Ulithian: Fole Vanuatu: Lese-En, Vietnamese: Hải Vu, Wallis & Futuna: Kape, Woleai: Fille, Yapese: File |
| Plant Growth Habit | Coarse, erect, monoecious, rhizomatous, evergreen |
| Growing Climate | Tropical and subtropical |
| Soil | Moist and well-drained |
| Plant Size | 5 m high |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Stem | Upright, erect, elongated, woody stem; Length: 1-1.2 m; Diameter: 25 cm |
| Leaf shape and size | Large, sagittate, rosette, flatten blades; Length: 0.9-1.8 m; Width: 0.6-1.2 m |
| Leaf color | Glossy, medium green |
| Corm weight | 100-120 kg |
| Fruit shape & size | Spathe, oblong-ellipsoid, green, Length: 8 cm |
| Seed | Several, pale brown; Diameter: 4 mm |
| Major Nutritions | Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 17 mg (18.89%) Carbohydrate 23 g (17.69%) Zinc, Zn 1.6 mg (14.55%) Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 2 mg (13.33%) Magnesium, Mg 52 mg (12.38%) Iron, Fe 0.8 mg (10.00%) Potassium, K 267 mg (5.68%) Total dietary Fiber 1.9 g (5.00%) Protein 2.2 g (4.40%) Calcium, Ca 38 mg (3.80%) |
| Health Benefits |
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| Calories in 100 gm | 100 Kcal. |