Elephant Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)

Family: Araceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Flies. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

tasteless, but it absorbs flavours well and so can be used as a carbohydrate element in a wide range of other foods. — Acrid raw, it must be thoroughly boiled or baked (see notes above on 'Known Hazards').; A very large root, it can be up to 50cm in diameter.; Corms are usually harvested when three years old, at this stage they can weigh up to 9kg.; The corms can be stored for several months at 10°c.

Habitat & North American Range

Loose leafy detritus in moist shady habitats. Tropical conditions in secondary forests, shrub forests and grasslands in arid valley areas at elevations below 750 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)