Common Name: Eddoe

General Information

Colocasia esculenta antiquorum is an evergreen, perennial plant producing a cluster of leaves with long, erect petioles, growing from 40 - 200cm tall from a tuberous rootstock[, ].
The plant is often cultivated in humid, lowland tropical regions, where it is a staple carbohydrate crop in many areas[, ]. Closely related to Taro (Calocasia esculenta), but with smaller corms, it is easier to grow because it is hardier than taro; can grow on lighter, poorer soils; and succeeds with less rainfall and lower temperatures[].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. This substance is toxic fresh and, if eaten, makes the mouth, tongue and throat feel as if hundreds of small needles are digging in to them. However, calcium oxalate is easily broken down either by thoroughly cooking the plant or by fully drying it and, in either of these states, it is safe to eat the plant. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[].

Botanical References

Range

Widely cultivated in the tropics, its original range is uncertain but is probably southern to central Asia.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation, though it is often established in low lying areas along streams and river banks[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist to humid tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,100 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 19 - 25°c, but can tolerate 5 - 30°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 3,000mm[].
Prefers a fairly heavy, fertile and moisture-retentive soil that is rich in organic matter[]. Plants require a very rich soil[]. Needs a moist soil in order to grow well - some varieties will even grow in shallow water[]. Another report says that the plant requires a well-drained soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8[].
The corms take about 7 months to reach maturity[], though the leaves and stems can be harvested throughout the growing period[].
Like many species in the family Araceae, this plant has the ability to heat the flowering spadix as the pollen becomes ready for fertilization. This heat greatly increases the strength of the aroma released by the plant, thus attracting more pollinating insects. It can also have the effect of making the insects more active, thus increasing the level of fertilization[].

Edible Uses

Edible corms - cooked[]. They can be boiled, baked, fried etc in much the same way as potatoes[]. They can be used in savoury dishes such as soups and curries, or in sweet dishes with coconut milk, sugar etc[]. Make sure the corm is cooked before eating it, see notes above on toxicity[]. The corm is a good source of starch. The starch grains are very small making them easily digestible and they are used to make baby food that is said to be non-allergenic[298.

Young leaves - cooked[]. Some varieties of taro are grown for their leaves, which are very nutritious[]. They are either used to wrap other food that is baked, or are used as spinach[]. The leaves must be cooked before eating in order to destroy the calcium oxalate crystals[].

Stems - cooked[]. Peeled, cut into pieces and boiled in stews, they taste and look a little like celery[].

Medicinal

The plant is antibacterial and hypotensive[].

A decoction of the leaves is drunk to promote menstruation[]. A decoction, together with some parts of other plants, is taken to relieve stomach problems and to treat cysts[].
In New Guinea, the leaves are heated over a fire and are applied as a poultice to boils[]

The sap of the leaf stalk is used in treating conjunctivitis[].

The scraped stem, together with some parts of other plants, is used to create an appetite[].

The plant is used to treat wounds[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - this is a cultivated species and so seed is unlikely to breed true. Plants rarely produce fertile seed[].
Division of suckers[].
Corms.

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