Definition

Noun: * A tropical plant (Colocasia esculenta) cultivated primarily for its large, starchy, edible corm (rootstock), which is a staple food in many regions. It is also grown in temperate climates as an ornamental plant for its large, attractive, heart-shaped leaves.

Usage

The term "taro plant" refers specifically to the living plant itself. It is used to distinguish the entire plant from just its edible parts (taro root, taro leaves) or prepared food (poi).

Examples

• The taro plant thrives in wet, marshy conditions.
• Farmers in Hawaii cultivate the taro plant in flooded fields called loʻi.
• As an ornamental, the taro plant adds a tropical feel to gardens with its large, glossy leaves.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in botanical, agricultural, and horticultural contexts.
• In cultural contexts, especially in Polynesian and Southeast Asian cultures, the taro plant is often described as a sacred or culturally vital crop.

Variants and Related Words

• Taro (n.): The more common term, which can refer to the plant, the edible corm, or the food made from it. (e.g., "We ate taro for dinner.")
• Dasheen (n.): Another name for the taro plant or its corm, used in some regions.
• Eddoe (n.): A variety of taro plant that produces smaller corms.
• Colocasia esculenta (n.): The formal botanical (Latin) name for the species.
• Taro root (n.): Specifically refers to the edible corm of the plant.
• Taro leaf (n.): Refers to the large leaf of the plant, which is also edible when cooked thoroughly.

Synonyms

• Elephant ear: A common name for ornamental varieties of and related plants, noted for their large, ear-shaped leaves.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary meaning of "taro plant" is the botanical organism.
• When used alone, the word "taro" is polysemous and its meaning depends on context: it can mean the plant ("the taro is growing well"), the edible tuber ("peel the taro"), or the prepared food ("the poi is made from taro").

Noun

1. herb of the Pacific islands grown throughout the tropics for its edible root and in temperate areas as an ornamental for its large glossy leaves