Giant Taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos)

Family: Araceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Alocasia macrorrhizos is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Corm - cooked. The corm needs to be thoroughly cooked before being eaten in order to destroy the calcium oxalate crystals. Stems - cooked. — The corm needs to be thoroughly cooked before being eaten in order to destroy the calcium oxalate crystals.; The basal part of the stem, which can be up to 1 metre tall and 20cm in diameter, is peeled and used as a cooked vegetable.; It can be added to soups and stews.; A very easily digested starch can be obtained from the stem.

Habitat & North American Range

Common along river banks and other damp places from sea-level to 500 metres. (Zone 10)