Ape
Xanthosoma robustum

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A herb. It is in the taro family. The stem can be 1-4 m long and 10-20 cm thick. They often lie along the ground. The leaf stalks are 40-180 cm long. The leaf blades are oval to sword shaped and can be 2 m long.

There are 57 Xanthosoma species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in wet soil and usually boggy ground. It grows up to 900 m above sea level in Central America

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Central America (country/location of origin), Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hawaii, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, North America, Pacific, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

It has been reported as used in Guatemala. The young leaves are eaten in soup. The roots are possibly poisonous.

Edible parts

Tubers, root, leaves

How it is grown

It is grown from offshoots.

Its other names

Local names

Kipul raksasa, Lokg, Mafafa blanca, Malvaron, Oreja de elefante, Paxnikak, Rejalgar, Quequeshque, Tup

Synonyms

Xanthosoma roseum Schott;