Plants
taro
Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott
Family: Araceae · Genus: Colocasia
cocoyam
Distinct from taioba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium, already in canon, native species) and from yam (Dioscorea spp.). Introduced Asian species cultivated for starchy corms. Heart-shaped leaves, 1–2 m plant. Tolerates waterlogging — suited to lowlands, marshes, stream edges. Continuous production in tropics.
Götsch succession
- Götsch stage
- Placenta I
- Ecological role
- Pioneer
- Primary stratum
- Low
- Strata
- Low, Ground cover
- Biomass class
- Fertilizer biomass
Environment
- Light requirement
- Partial shade
- Water requirement
- High
- Drought tolerance
- None
- Waterlogging tolerance
- High
- Soil pH range
- 5–7
- Preferred soil texture
- Clayey, Loamy, Silty
- Hardiness zones
- 10–13
Morphology
- Mature height
- 1–2 m
- Recommended spacing
- 0.5–1 m
- Root system
- Fibrous
- Root depth
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- 1–3 years
- Time to first harvest
- 9 months
Biomes & climate
- Amazon Naturalized
- Atlantic Forest Naturalized
- Pantanal Suitable
Köppen classes
- Tropical rainforest (Af) Suitable
- Tropical monsoon (Am) Suitable
- Tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw) Suitable
Where it fits in a guild
Taro takes the Low stratum in the Placenta I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
How long until the first harvest of taro?
The first harvest of taro comes around 9 months after planting.
What spacing is recommended for taro?
The recommended spacing for taro is 0.5–1 m.
How tall does taro grow?
At maturity, taro reaches 1–2 m tall.
What stage and stratum does taro occupy in a syntropic system?
In a syntropic system, taro belongs to the placenta i stage, occupying the low stratum.
Functions
Propagation
Division
Citations
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Colocasia esculenta (ph_min, ph_max, waterlogging_tolerance, height_min_m, height_max_m)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott (gbif_taxon_key, family, genus)
- Plants of the World Online (Kew) — Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott (powo_id, scientific_author)
External references
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