Taro

Taro is the general Austronesian name for edible aroids, botanically known as the Araceae family of plants. The main centers of origin and diversity are tropical Asia and tropical America. The over 100 aroid genera and around 3,750 species each have their own botanical distinction and features, and several family members, such as anthurium, caladium, dieffenbachia, and philodendron, are among the world’s most popular ornamental plants. Most aroids are edible and commonly used as food, but they also have medicinal uses and are used as animal fodder. The four most important cultivated edible genera are Colocasia esculenta, Alocasia, Cyrtosperma, and Xanthosoma spp.