Taro

colocasia esculenta

Taro is a big leafy plant that grows in warm, wet places. Its large, heart-shaped leaves are fun to touch and look at!

Hábitat: Taro grows in marshy areas and tropical regions around the world.

Aspecto

The Taro has enormous, heart-shaped to sagitate leaves, often a striking green with prominent veins, and sometimes purple or dark red stems. Its velvety, water-repellent foliage gives it a unique appearance, distinct from other large-leaved plants.

ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseLiliopsidaOrdenAlismatalesFamiliaAraceaeGéneroColocasia

Taro

Categoría

Plantas

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

In Hawaii, a traditional dish called poi is made from mashed taro corms.

Some taro varieties have strikingly beautiful purple or pink flesh inside!

Taro is one of the oldest cultivated plants, grown for thousands of years!

Taro roots are packed with energy, like a super-starchy vegetable.

Habilidades especiales

Taro has special waxy leaves that make water bead up and roll off, keeping them dry and clean.

Taro can grow large edible corms underground to store energy and nutrients, helping it survive and regrow.

Taro has tiny calcium oxalate crystals in its raw parts that cause an itchy irritation, deterring hungry animals.

Medidas y detalles

Altura: 60-200 cm
Extensión: 50-150 cm
Tamaño de la flor: 10-30 cm
Temporada de floración: Verano
Comestible: Sí
Toxicidad: Moderada
Ciclo de vida: Perenne
Método de polinización: Insectos

Conexiones ecológicas

eats

taro planthopper

Tarophagus colocasiae

Feeds on the sap from taro leaves and stems.

eats

taro hornworm

Hippotion celerio

Larvae consume taro leaves, sometimes causing defoliation.

eaten by

black rat

Rattus rattus

Rats can damage and eat the starchy underground corms.

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Bees may visit taro flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

Rasgos

Social

Los animales sociales viven en grupos organizados, cooperando para obtener beneficios de supervivencia como la búsqueda de alimento, la defensa y la cría de descendencia.