taro
Noun: 1. A tropical plant: A starchy, tuberous-rooted herb (Colocasia esculenta) native to Southeast Asia and widely cultivated in Pacific islands and other tropical regions. 2. An edible root: The large, starchy, edible corm (tuberous root) of this plant, which is a staple food in many cultures. 3. An ornamental plant: The same plant, valued in temperate gardens for its large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves.
Taro is primarily used as a non-count noun when referring to the plant as a species or the food substance. It is used as a count noun when referring to individual corms or types. - The farmer grows taro in the wet field. (Referring to the crop) - For dinner, we ate steamed taro. (Referring to the prepared food) - She bought three large taros at the market. (Referring to individual corms)
- As a plant/crop:
- Traditional Hawaiian agriculture often features flooded plots for growing taro.
- The taro leaves can also be cooked and eaten, similar to spinach.
- As a food:
- Poï is a traditional Hawaiian dish made from pounded taro root.
- The taro was boiled and mashed to make a smooth paste.
- As an ornamental:
- In cooler climates, taro is sometimes grown in ponds or moist garden borders for its dramatic foliage.
- "Taro root": A common compound specifying the edible part, though "taro" alone typically implies the root.
- The recipe calls for two pounds of taro root.
- "Taro leaf": Refers to the edible leaf of the plant.
- The stew is made with coconut milk and taro leaves.
- Dasheen: Another common name for taro, particularly in the Caribbean.
- Eddoe (or Eddo): A variety of taro producing smaller corms.
- Colocasia: The botanical genus name for taro.
- Corm: The technical term for the starchy underground plant stem that is harvested (the "root").
- Kalo: The Hawaiian word for taro, central to Native Hawaiian culture and mythology.
- Root vegetable: A general category that includes taro, along with potatoes, yams, and cassava.
- Taro patch: A field, often terraced and flooded, where taro is cultivated.
- They maintain a family taro patch in the valley.
- Taro cake: A savory or sweet cake made from grated taro, common in Asian cuisines.
- Taro bubble tea: A popular drink where taro root is used to make a sweet, purple-colored flavoring or paste.
- tropical starchy tuberous root
- 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
- edible starchy tuberous root of taro plants