Swamp taro
Cyrtosperma merkusii

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A large perennial taro family plant up to 2-3 m high, with the pointy ends to the leaf lobes. The leaves are very large, upright and with points on the bottom lobes. The leaf stalks are up to 2.5 m long and 10 cm across. The leaves are 1.5 m long. Other aspects of the plant can vary such as kinds which are more spiny on the leaf stalks than others. The plants can grow up to 4 metres tall. Under the ground there is a large fattened rhizome or corm. This is shaped liked a cylinder and can be up to 70 kg in size. The plant produces a large purple lily type flower which then produces a group of seeds which are orange in colour. The plant produces suckers. The number of suckers varies with varieties.

There are 11-12 Cyrtosperma species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant and grows from 18°N to 20°S. It grows in fresh or brackish swamps up to 150 m altitude. Water 0.6-0.9 m deep and rich in humus is the environment used. It can stand shade. It can withstand flooding. It occurs in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines as well as in other countries. It is found in valleys in central and southern parts of the Philippines. It is grown in Visayas and Camarines. In Papua New Guinea it becomes important in Bougainville. It grows in fresh or brackish swamps up to 150 m altitude. It occurs on atoll islands. It has reasonable salt tolerance (2%).

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bougainville, Brunei, Caroline Islands, China, Chuuk, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Guam, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mortlock Islands, Nauru, Nepal, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, Polynesia, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tonga, Truk, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, Yap

How it is used for food

The corms are peeled and boiled or roasted. They are also used to make flour. Leaves and young flowers can be eaten. The tubers are ofte boiled then mashed and left to ferment before cooking again.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. This taro is seen in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea but only becomes important in some of the coral atoll islands. It is a major crop in Atoll Islands in the Pacific.

Edible parts

Corms, root, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are normally put in swamps or ditches. Parts of the main corm, or suckers can be used for planting. It can be intercropped with Colocasia taro. A spacing of 1.2 x 1.2 m is suitable. It normally receives little management. It is known to respond to organic matter.

Yields of 10-15 tons/year/ha have been recorded. It takes 2-6 years to mature. Tubers become more fibrous with time so that 2 years is a suitable harvesting time. Individual corms can weigh 2-50 kg.

Its other names

Local names

Ape de veo, Aro matawa, Baba, Babai, Brak, Bwanihaka, Dababai, Gabi, Galiang, Gallan, Iaraj, Kakake, Kakale, Kakama, Kape ta'a-ta'a, Karake, Lak, Lok, Mane, Maota, Muen, Muiang, Mwahng, Mweiang, Mwong, Niha, Palanau, Palauan, Paluku, Papai, Papoi, Pasruk, Pula'a, Pulaka, Puna, Pura, Puraka, Puraka, Pwolok, Ta'o, Tao Kape, Te babai, Teplaka, Tepulaka, Tepuraka, Ula, Via kana, Via kau, Voruku

Synonyms

Cyrtosperma chamissonis (Schott) Merr.; Cyrtosperma edule Schott.; Apeveoa esculenta Moerenhauout; Lasia merkusii Hasskarl; Cyrtosperma lasioides Griffith; Cyrtosperma nadeaudianum Moore;