Colocasia gigantea
(Blume ex Hassk.) Hook.f.
Talas Padang
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Description
An erect herb. It is fleshy and produces latex. It grows 2 m tall. It has a tuberous underground stem. The leaves are flattened with the leaf stalk attached to the middle of the lower surface. The leaves have 2 lobes at the base. The leaf stalk is 1.5 m long. It is light green. The leaf blade is oval in outline and 25-120 cm long by 17-35 cm wide. The lobes at the base point downwards and are joined for half their length. The flower is a lily like flower with a fleshy stem and enclosed in a spathe. The tubular part is 3-8 cm long. The fruit is an oblong berry. It is about 1 cm long.
Edible Uses
In addition to its value as a starchy root vegetable—known by many names, such as taro, or arbi (in Hindi)—the plant’s leaf stalk (petiole) is also used as a vegetable in some areas of Southeastern Asia and Japan. It is sometimes used as an ingredient in miso soup, chanpurū and sushi.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are used as a flavouring. They are also eaten as a snack. The leaf stalks are eaten as a vegetable. They are well cooked. The leaves are also cooked and eaten.
Known Hazards
The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals. These cause an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue if they are eaten, but they are easily neutralized by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water. The plant produces hydrocyanic acid. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in valley forests, swamps, also cultivated between 100-700 m in China. It suits shady sites. It is often on limestone hills. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical gardens. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from sections of the rhizome.
Other Uses
The plant contains a latex. No uses are mentioned.
Other Information
It is sold in local markets.
Notes
There are 8 Colocasia species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Bac ha, Batang, Bo ju, Bon, Bo rui, D(oj)e m(uf)ng, Hou bu, Kamumu, Khun, Kun, Lumpoi, Lumpuy, M(oon) to, Ok dip, Padun, Rombang, Talas raksasa, Taleh kemumu, Thamanai, Thoun, Yendem, You ti
References (23)
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- Fl. Brit. India 6:524. 1893
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- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (As Leucocasia gigantea)
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