Colocasia esculenta
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Colocasia esculenta Common Names: Taro, Cocoyam, Elephant ear, Dasheen,
Eddoe Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Monocots Order: Alismatales Family: Araceae Genus: Colocasia Species: C. esculenta Synonyms: Alocasia dussii Dammer, Arum colocasia L., Caladium esculentum (L.) Vent., Colocasia antiquorum Schott, Colocasia nymphaeifolia (Vent.) Kunth, Leucocasia esculenta (L.) Nakai, Zantedeschia virosa (Roxb.) K.Koch Morphological Description Colocasia esculenta is a perennial, tropical herbaceous plant, primarily
cultivated for its edible corms, leaves, and petioles. Its key characteristics
include: · Corm: Starchy, tuberous, 5–20 cm in diameter, brown-skinned with
white to greyish flesh, rich in carbohydrates (70–80% starch). · Leaves: Large, heart-shaped, peltate (20–150 cm × 15–100 cm), dark
green above, light green beneath, with a waxy surface; attached to petioles
0.8–1,只.2
m long. · Inflorescence: Spadix, 10–15 cm long, with yellow-green spathe; female
flowers at the base, sterile neuters in the middle, and male flowers at the
top; rarely fruits in cultivation. · Roots: Fibrous, spreading shallowly, aiding nutrient uptake in wet
soils. Distribution and Habitat Colocasia esculenta is a globally cultivated crop with ancient origins: · Geographic Range: Native to Southeast Asia and Southern
India; widely cultivated in Africa (Nigeria, Ghana), Oceania (Hawaii,
Polynesia), East Asia (China, Japan), Southeast Asia (Philippines, Thailand),
South Asia (India, Bangladesh), the Caribbean, and Central/South America;
naturalized in subtropical wetlands, sometimes invasive (e.g., US Gulf Coast). · Habitat: Thrives in warm, humid climates (20–30°C) with high rainfall
(1,500–2,500 mm annually); prefers waterlogged, loamy soils (pH 5.5–6.5), often
grown in paddy fields, swamps, or near water bodies; tolerates partial shade. · Ecological Role: Stabilizes soil in wetland agriculture;
supports biodiversity by providing habitat for aquatic species; can outcompete
native plants in non-native regions. Ethnopharmacology Colocasia esculenta, commonly known as taro, is a medicinal and food plant valued in
traditional medicine across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Its corms, leaves,
and petioles possess a range of therapeutic properties, including antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective,
immunomodulatory, and wound-healing effects. The corms are rich in dietary
fiber, vitamins (like vitamin C and E), and essential minerals, and are used to
manage digestive issues, diabetes, and cardiovascular health. The leaves, which are high in
polyphenols and flavonoids, are traditionally used to treat infections, pain,
and skin irritations, and are also believed to support liver health.
Additionally, the plant contains compounds such as tannins, alkaloids, and
saponins, which contribute to its medicinal activities. While Colocasia
esculenta has many health benefits, it must be properly cooked to eliminate
calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation or toxicity when consumed
raw. ·
Antidiarrheal: In Ethiopia, corm peels treat diarrhea.
Methanol extracts (400 mg/kg) reduced fecal output by 55% in castor oil-induced
diarrhea in mice, linked to antioxidant properties (Prajapati et al., 2011). ·
Anti-inflammatory: In India, leaf extracts manage
arthritis. Methanolic root extracts (400 mg/kg) inhibited carrageenan-induced
paw edema by 60% in rats, comparable to NSAIDs, due to flavonoids and
terpenoids (Baro et al., 2023). ·
Anticancer: In Hawaii, poi (fermented taro paste)
inhibits cancer cell growth. Corm extracts reduced gastric adenocarcinoma cell
viability by 55% at 300 μg/mL in vitro, due to tarin and polysaccharides
(Ribeiro Pereira et al., 2020). ·
Antidiabetic: In Bangladesh, corms regulate blood
sugar. Ethanolic extracts (300 mg/kg) lowered blood glucose by 30% in streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats, enhancing insulin sensitivity (Reyad-ul-Ferdous et al., 2015). ·
Antimicrobial: In India, leaf extracts treat
infections. Ethanolic leaf extracts showed MIC values of 125–250 μg/mL
against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia
coli,
supporting wound-healing applications (D’Souza, 2020). ·
Hepatoprotective: In Assam, corms protect liver function.
Corm extracts (200 mg/kg) reduced serum ALT levels by 40% in CCl4-induced liver
damage in rats, due to β-sitosterol and flavones (Jyothi, 2024). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Colocasia esculenta contains calcium oxalate crystals (0.5–2%
dry weight) in all parts, causing irritation, burning, and swelling if consumed
raw or undercooked; symptoms include oral discomfort and gastrointestinal
distress. Prolonged handling may cause dermatitis; gloves are recommended. High
doses of corm extracts (>800 mg/kg) showed no acute toxicity (LD₅₀ >
2,000 mg/kg) in rats but may elevate liver enzymes with chronic use.
Contraindicated in individuals with kidney stones due to oxalate content
(D’Souza, 2020; Sharma et al., 2020). Additional Uses · Culinary: Corms are boiled, roasted, or mashed in dishes like Hawaiian
poi or Filipino laing; leaves are cooked to neutralize oxalates, used in
curries and stews · Industrial: Taro starch is used as a thickener, emulsifier, and fat
replacer in food industries; explored for biodegradable packaging. References
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