Arum Family Araceae
Native range: Tropical eastern Asia
Taro has been cultivated, cooked, and eaten in Africa for over two thousand years and was introduced to the Caribbean through the slave trade. The large heart-shaped leaves are cooked into a spicy side dish known as callaloo that honors the legacy of African Caribbean ancestors.
Caution: Uncooked leaves and corms are toxic!
Varieties displayed in this exhibit:
Colocasia esculentis ‘Fontanesii’
Colocasia esculenta ‘Illustris’
Listen to learn more: Access a short narrative here.
