Three-lobed Typhonium
Typhonium trilobatum

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A fleshy annual herb. It grows 30-50 cm high. It grows from an underground tuber. This is several cm across. The leaf stalks are 40 cm long. The leaves are arrow shaped. They have 3 lobes. The leaves are 20 cm long by 10 cm wide. The flowers are reddish. They are in a spike. It has a large, brown spathe. The fruit is a green berry with purple spots. There are 1-2 seeds.

There are about 50 Typhonium species. The rhizome is 69.9% water, protein 1.4%, fat 0.1%, carbohydrates 26%, minerals 1.6%. It is a functional food.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in shady, waste places. It grows in wetland. It grows in the lowland. It grows up to 700 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Central America, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad, Vietnam, West Africa

How it is used for food

The dried sliced corms are eaten after cooking. They need drying to remove the acrid taste. The tender leaves are boiled and eaten. They are also used to make pickles. The leaf stalk and the spadix are cooked and eaten.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, tubers, root, rhizome, vegetable, flower stalks, leaf stalk

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bengal arum, Bo:n biew, C(ur) ch(os)c, Chakad, Chamghas, Durada-kandagadda, Gabi-gabihan, GHatkol, Gherkochoo, Ghet kachu, Ghiu kasu, Kandagadde, Karunai-kizhangu, Karunakizhanga, Keladi puyuh, Khakron, Khammam, Kharkol, Lheng, Mahora, Nirbis, Keladi puyuh, Samah, Sam ghas, Sam kochu, Samakosu, Syam kachu, Tel-hawng-nu, Thithe, Utaphit, Uttaphit

Synonyms

Arum trilobatum Linnaeus; Arum orixense Roxb. ex Andrews; Typhonium orixiense (Andrews) Schott;