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.