Definition

Noun: 1. A large tropical plant: A very big, non-woody plant (Alocasia macrorrhizos or related species) known for its enormous, upright or wide-spreading leaves. It is grown in tropical areas both for food (its underground stem and new growth) and as a dramatic, decorative plant in gardens, especially in wet, warm climates.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The giant taro in the botanical garden has leaves over six feet long.
  • In some Pacific islands, the cooked rhizome of the giant taro is a traditional staple food.
  • Landscapers often use giant taro to create a lush, tropical atmosphere around ponds.

Advanced Usage

• As a specimen plant: In horticulture, a "specimen plant" is one grown alone to display its ornamental features. The giant taro is often used as a dramatic specimen plant due to its impressive size and foliage.
  • A single giant taro served as the stunning focal point of the courtyard.

Variants and Related Words

• Alocasia (n): The botanical genus name for giant taro and related plants, often called "elephant ears."
• Elephant ear (n): A common name for plants in the and genera, referring to the large, ear-shaped leaves. Giant taro is one of the largest types of elephant ear.
• Aroid (n): A member of the arum family (Araceae), which includes giant taro, philodendrons, and peace lilies.

Synonyms

• Giant alocasia: A more precise botanical common name.
• Upright elephant ear: A descriptive name highlighting its growth habit.

Notes on Meaning

• Botanical vs. Culinary Context: While its rhizome is edible when properly cooked, the giant taro is distinct from the true taro (), which is a more common food crop. The primary meaning of giant taro refers to the plant's physical characteristics as a large ornamental, with its edibility being a secondary, contextual feature.

Noun

1. large evergreen with extremely large erect or spreading leaves; cultivated widely in tropics for its edible rhizome and shoots; used in wet warm regions as a stately ornamental