Tannia spinach
Xanthosoma brasiliense

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A large herb. It grows about 1 m tall. It keeps growing from year to year. The tubers are tiny but not acrid. The plant is usually grown for its edible leaves. The leaf stalks are 60 cm long.

There are 57 Xanthosoma species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It thrives in hot wet conditions. It will not grow well in sandy soils or soils low in organic matter. It will grow in soils with a pH between 5.0 - 8.0. It can tolerate shade and be intercropped with bananas or coconut.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Curacao, Dominican Republic, FSM, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Leeward Is., Lesser Antilles, Pacific, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, South America, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuvalu, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves, stems and upper portion of the leaf stalks are used as potherbs.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It is grown as a leaf vegetable. It take a about 0.5 share metres of space or 20,000 plants per hectare. It is usually grown from corms or stem cuttings.

It produces nutritious green leaves year round and will continue to produce for up to 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Belembe, Calalu, Carib cabbage, Tahitian spinach, Quelembe

Synonyms

Caladium brasiliense Desf.; Xanthosoma hastatum Eggers; and others