Some treatments view this species as no more than a synonym for Xanthosoma sagittifolium[].

Common Name: Blue Taro

General Information

Blue taro is a perennial plant producing arrow-shaped leaves from a short, thick underground rhizome. The leaves are 20 - 50cm long on petioles 30 - 70cm long.
The plant is often cultivated for its edible roots and leaves in parts of the tropics[, ].

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

Northern South America, north to the Caribbean and through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Moist or wet thickets or forest, at elevations below 1,900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moister tropics, preferring an annual rainfall in the region 1,000 - 1,500mm[].
Succeeds in full sun or light shade, requiring high levels of organic matter in the soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5[].
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

Root - cooked and eaten like potatoes[]. They can be peeled, then used in stews, custards and pancakes[]. See notes above on toxicity before eating the corm[].

Young leaves and petioles - chopped, then cooked and eaten as a spinach[, ]. See notes above on toxicity before eating the leaves[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - rarely produced in cultivation[].
Division of the smaller corms that are produced on the side of the main corm[].

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