Fauna
Plant

Taro

Colocasia esculenta

Also known as Elephant Ear, Dasheen, Eddoe, Kalo

Taro features large, heart-shaped peltate leaves that rise on sturdy stalks from a thick underground corm. Native to tropical Southeast Asia and southern Asia, this ancient plant thrives in marshy soils, flooded agricultural fields, and tropical riverbanks worldwide. All raw plant parts contain microscopic needle-like calcium oxalate crystals that defend against herbivores until properly processed with heat.

TropicalWetlandBroadleaf
Taro reference1 / 7
No machine-readable author provided. Thierry Caro assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Taro Beetles
  • Snails
  • Aphids
ThreatsHabitat conversion, agricultural diseases, invasive spread in non-native wetlands
HabitatsWetlands, riverbanks, flooded field paddies, tropical gardens
Life spanPerennial (5–10+ years)
Classification
  1. OrderAlismatales
  2. FamilyAraceae
  3. GenusColocasia
  4. SpeciesColocasia esculenta
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Raw parts contain sharp calcium oxalate crystals that irritate skin and mucous membranes; observe safely without harvesting.
Why it is dangerous
Raw sap and un cooked tissues contain sharp calcium oxalate raphides that cause intense severe burning, swelling of the throat, and skin rash.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by large, heart-shaped peltate leaves held high on fleshy stalks arising from a central underground corm in wet ground.
What to do
Avoid cutting or handling raw plant parts with bare hands, and never consume raw tissues.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Identify taro by looking for leaf stalks attached to the underside interior of the leaf rather than the edge notch.
  • Handling: Avoid contact with sap from broken leaves or freshly dug corms, as it can cause localized skin itching.
Related species
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