(Redirected from Calathea macrosepala)

Common Name: Sweetcorn Root

General Information

Calathea allouia is a perennial plant growing up to 1.5 metres tall, with slender roots that terminate in small tubers 2 - 8cm long[, ].
Two different reports say that the plant is cultivated, especially in parts of central America, where it can be second in importance only to maize as a field crop - one of these reports says that it is for the tubers[], whilst the other says it is for the leaves[]. The edible flowering spikes are often sold in local markets[]. The plant is often collected from the wild, but is cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines, West Indies, northern South America as well as in Africa[]. It is also grown as an ornamental in many parts of the tropics[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America, north to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Habitat

Moist or wet, mixed forest, at elevations of 1,400 meters or less, most frequent at low elevations[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant mainly of the moist, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,400 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 31°c, but can tolerate 16 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 2,800mm[].
Grows best in full sun or light shade[]. Prefers a moist, humus-rich, freely-draining soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[].
Crops are produced in about 9 - 14 months from planting out the roots[].
Tuber yields of 2 - 15 tonnes/ha have been reported[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[]. Rich in starch[]. The crisp cooked tubers are very agreeable with a flavour like sweetcorn[]. Their unique texture makes them a gourmet item[]. Used in similar ways to potatoes[]. The tubers are 2 - 8cm long and 2 - 4cm in diameter[].

Young tender flower spikes - cooked[, ].

The leaves are used for wrapping tamales and other foods, to which they impart flavour[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

In former times, the plant played a more important role for making blankets, mattresses, pillows, baskets and umbrellas[].

Propagation

Seed -
Division of tubers
Cuttings of basal shoots.

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