Swamp taro
It is a tropical plant and grows from 18°N to 20°S. It grows in fresh or brackish swamps up to 150 m altitude. Water 0.6-0.9 m deep and rich in humus is the environment used. It can stand shade. It can withstand flooding. It occurs in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines as well as in other countries. It is found in valleys in central and southern parts of the Philippines. It is grown in Visayas and Camarines. In Papua New Guinea it becomes important in Bougainville. It grows in fresh or brackish swamps up to 150 m altitude. It occurs on atoll islands. It has reasonable salt tolerance (2%).
Also known as:
Ape de veo, Aro matawa, Baba, Babai, Brak, Bwanihaka, Dababai, Gabi, Galiang, Gallan, Iaraj, Kakake, Kakale, Kakama, Kape ta'a-ta'a, Karake, Lak, Lok, Maota, Muen, Muiang, Mwahng, Mweiang, Mwong, Niha, Palanau, Palauan, Paluku, Papai, Papoi, Pasruk, Pula'a, Pulaka, Puna, Pura, Puraka, Puraka, Pwolok, Ta'o, Tao Kape, Te babai, Teplaka, Tepulaka, Tepuraka, Ula, Via kana, Via kau, Voruku
Synonyms
- Cyrtosperma chamissonis (Schott) Merr.
- Cyrtosperma edule Schott.
- Apeveoa esculenta Moerenhauout
- Lasia merkusii Hasskarl
- Cyrtosperma lasioides Griffith
- Cyrtosperma nadeaudianum Moore
Edible Portion
- Corms, Root, Leaves, Vegetable
Where does Swamp taro grow?
Found in: Asia, Bougainville, Brunei, Caroline Islands, China, Chuuk, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Guam, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mortlock Islands, Nauru, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Pohnpei, Polynesia, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tonga, Truk, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, Yap
Notes: There are 11-12 Cyrtosperma species.
Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. This taro is seen in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea but only becomes important in some of the coral atoll islands. It is a major crop in Atoll Islands in the Pacific.
Growing Swamp taro
Cultivation: Plants are normally put in swamps or ditches. Parts of the main corm, or suckers can be used for planting. It can be intercropped with Colocasia taro. A spacing of 1.2 x 1.2 m is suitable. It normally receives little management. It is known to respond to organic matter.
Edible Uses: The corms are peeled and boiled or roasted. They are also used to make flour. Leaves and young flowers can be eaten. The tubers are ofte boiled then mashed and left to ferment before cooking again.
Production: Yields of 10-15 tons/year/ha have been recorded. It takes 2-6 years to mature. Tubers become more fibrous with time so that 2 years is a suitable harvesting time. Individual corms can weigh 2-50 kg.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root | 82 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 5 | 15.7 | 0.11 | 72.4 |
Swamp taro Photos
References
Cyrtosperma merkusii (chamissonis) swamp taro references.
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