Alocasia fornicata
Family: Araceae
What it is like
A stout herb. The stem can be 1 m long. It has the marks of fallen leaves along it. It is 10-15 cm around. The plant can be 2 m high. The leaves have leaf stalks that join away from the edge. The leaves are narrowly heart shaped and taper to the tip. The lobes are angular and the edges are wavy. The leaves are shiny. The leaf stalk sheaths the stem at the base. The flower is as a pointed spadix inside a green spathe.
There are about 60-70 Alocasia species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in wetlands and near streams.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, India, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The leaf stalk and tubers are cooked and eaten. They are used in curries. The upper part of the flower stalk is eaten boiled or steamed.
Edible parts
Roots, tuber, corm, leaf stalks, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bees kachu, Bees kochu, Bez kachu, Dumparase, Gadri