Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Colocasia esculenta

Colocasia esculenta

9.9
A tropical plant with large shiny leaves and a starchy root used for food
  • noun
  • /ˌkoʊloʊˈkeɪziə ɛsˈkʌlɛntə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Colocasia esculenta
  • In many Pacific cultures, Colocasia esculenta is a dietary staple and is used in traditional dishes.

Examples

  • The large, heart-shaped leaves of Colocasia esculenta make it a favorite ornamental plant in gardens.

  • Colocasia esculenta is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its nutritious tubers.

  • The Colocasia esculenta thrives in warm, humid climates.

  • Many gardeners love planting Colocasia esculenta for its beautiful leaves.

  • Colocasia esculenta is commonly used to make a popular dish in many Pacific islands, showcasing its starchy root.

  • In tropical regions, Colocasia esculenta is known for producing nutritious tubers that are high in carbohydrates.

  • The ornamental variety of Colocasia esculenta features large, glossy leaves that enhance garden landscapes.

Synonyms

taro
vsColocasia esculenta
4 6.5

A tropical plant with large leaves grown for its starchy edible root used like a potato

is native to Pacific islands and also valued for large glossy leaves
dalo
vsColocasia esculenta
  • Australian
9.9

A tropical plant with a large root used as food

is native to the Pacific and grown for root food and glossy leaves
taro plant
vsColocasia esculenta
7.0

A tropical plant grown for its starchy edible root and large shiny leaves

focuses on Pacific origin and both staple root and ornamental use
dasheen
vsColocasia esculenta
  • UK
9.9

A large root like a potato that people cook and eat in tropical countries

names the whole plant native to the Pacific, not only the root

Surface Forms

Colocasia esculenta singular
Colocasia esculentas plural

Morphology

Colocasia + esculenta

The name is a standard Linnaean binomial: a genus name (Colocasia, a tropical tuberous plant) plus a specific epithet (esculenta, Latin for 'edible'), so a learner who knows both parts can infer 'the edible Colocasia' (taro). Scientific Latin binomials are compositional and follow a predictable pattern across languages, making the meaning recoverable from the constituents.

Etymology

Colocasia esculenta comes from an old Greek word for a starchy root plant (Colocasia) and the Latin word esculenta, which means 'edible'. So the name literally points to the taro plant, a tropical plant grown for its starchy, edible root and large leaves.