Giant Taro is commonly found in tropical latitudes. The roots and leaves contain oxalate crystals due to which one experiences itchiness in the mouth. In Vietnam, the roots and leaves are used to feed animals. In India, it is commonly cultivated as a decorative plant. The roots of Giant taro resemble the flavor of the potato. It is a great source of phosphorus, iron, and Vitamin C.

Name Giant Taro
Scientific Name Alocasia macrorrhizos
Native Native to tropical Asia. It was originated from India, Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka and also spread to Oceania and Asian tropical countries.
Common/English Name Ape, Egyptian Lily, Big Rooted Taro, Elephant’s Ear, Giant Elephant Ear, Giant Alocasia, Roasting Coco, Giant Taro, Upright Elephant Ear
Name in Other Languages Arabic: El-Emlak,
Australia: Cunjevoi,
Bangladesh: Mankachu,
Brazil: Inhame Gigante,
Burmese: Pein-Mohawaya,
Chinese: Hai Yu,
Chuukese: Kachik,
Cook Islands: Kape,
Czech: Alokázie,
Danish: Kæmpetaro,
Eastonian: Suurejuureline Alokaasia,
Fais: Fila,
Fijian: Via Gaga,
Finnish: Jättialokasia
French: Alocasie,
French Haiti: mazumbel,
German: Alokasie
Guyana: Hog Tannia
India:
Assamese: Boro-Mankachu,
Bengali: Mankachu,
Goan: Cureas,
Gujarathi: Alavu,
Hindi: Mankanda,
Kannada: Baalaraaksha,
Konkani: Kasali,
Malayalam: Seema Chembu,
Manipuri: Hongngoo,
Marathi: Kaasaalu,
Sanskrit: Hastikarnah,
Tamil: Kacakarni,
Telugu: Sarachema,
Tuli: Chevu,
Hawaiian: Apii
Hebrew: Alocasia
Hungarian: Táró
Ifaluk: File
I – Kiribati: Te Kabe,
Indonesia:
Javanese: Bira,
Maluku: Mira,
Nusa Tenggara: Biah,
Sulawesi: Bira,
Sumatra: Ababa,
Sundanese: Taleus Sente,
Italian: Alocasia,
Japanese: Dokuimo,
Kapingamarangi: Ngaungau,
Kosrae: Onak Owa,
Khmer: K’da:T Haôra
Lamotrek: File
Laotian: Kaph’uk
Latvian: Lielsakņu Alokāzija
Lesser Antilles: Giant Tayo
Malaysia: Birah Negeri,
Marquesan: Kape
Marshallese: Wat,
Murilo: Oht,
Nomwin, Namoluk: Ka,
Namonweito: Oot,
Nepali: Ghampe Tarul,
New Caledonia: Aware,
Niuean: Kape
Palauan: Bisech,
Papua New Guinea: Abir, Paragum, Pia, Via
Philippines:
Bikol: Talipan,
Bisaya: Badiang,
Bontok: Bilbila,
Ibanag: Aba,
Ifugao: Bilan Mumpaha,
Igorot: Aba-Aba,
Iloko: Bira,
Pampangan: Biga,
Tagalog: Badiang,
Pohnpeian: Cha,
Polish: Alokazja,
Polynesia: Ape,
Portuguese: Inhame Monstro,
Puerto Rico: Yautía Cimarrona,
Rarotongan: Kape,
Samoan: Ta’amu,
Satawalese: File,
Spanish: Malanga,
Swahili: Magimbi,
Tahitian: Ape,
Thai: Kradatdam,
Tokelau: Ta’amu,
Tongan: Kape,
Turkish: Alokasye,
Tuvalu: Ta’amu,
Ulithian: Fole
Vanuatu: Lese-En,
Vietnamese: Hải Vu,
Wallis & Futuna: Kape,
Woleai: Fille,
Yapese: File
Plant Growth Habit Coarse, erect, monoecious, rhizomatous, evergreen
Growing Climate Tropical and sub­tropical
Soil Moist and well-drained
Plant Size 5 m high
Lifespan Perennial
Stem Upright, erect, elongated, woody stem; Length: 1-1.2 m; Diameter: 25 cm
Leaf shape and size Large, sagittate, rosette, flatten blades; Length: 0.9-1.8 m; Width: 0.6-1.2 m
Leaf color Glossy, medium green
Corm weight 100-120 kg
Fruit shape & size Spathe, oblong-ellipsoid, green, Length: 8 cm
Seed Several, pale brown; Diameter: 4 mm
Major Nutritions Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 17 mg (18.89%)
Carbohydrate 23 g (17.69%)
Zinc, Zn 1.6 mg (14.55%)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 2 mg (13.33%)
Magnesium, Mg 52 mg (12.38%)
Iron, Fe 0.8 mg (10.00%)
Potassium, K 267 mg (5.68%)
Total dietary Fiber 1.9 g (5.00%)
Protein 2.2 g (4.40%)
Calcium, Ca 38 mg (3.80%)
Health Benefits
  • Prevent scurvy
  • Eliminates free radicals
  • Treats acne
  • Balance hormones
  • Vision
  • Treats insomnia
  • Prevent heart ailments
  • Prevent cramps
  • Brain health
  • Formation of hemoglobin
Calories in 100 gm 100 Kcal.

Giant Taro Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Alocasia macrorrhizos

Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Superdivision Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)
Subclass Arecidae
Order Arales
Family Araceae (Arum family)
Genus Alocasia (Schott) G. Don (Taro)
Species Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don (Giant taro)
Synonyms
  • Alocasia indica (Lour.) Spach
  • Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott
  • Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) Schott
  • Alocasia macrorrhizos var. rubra (Hassk.) Furtado
  • Arum indicum Lour.
  • Colocasia indica (Lour.) Kunth