|
(Last Modified On 10/25/2012)
|
|
|
|
(Last Modified On 10/25/2012)
|
|
Species
|
XANTHOSOMA VIOLACEUM Schott
|
|
PlaceOfPublication
|
Oesterr. Bot. Wochenbl. 3:370. 1853.
|
|
Description
|
Rhizome large and tuberous, hypogean; petioles 30-70 cm. long, 1-4 cm. broad at the base, long-vaginate, brownish violaceous; blades at first somewhat pruinose, becoming green, paler beneath, sagittate-ovate, 20-50 cm. long and 15-45 cm. wide or larger, shortly acuminate-apiculate, the basal lobes somewhat triangular, obtuse, separated by an open, acute sinus, the nerves and costa viola- ceous; peduncles 15-20 cm. long; tube of the spathe as much as 10 cm. long and 4 cm. broad, oblong, glaucous outside, pale yellowish within, the blade oblong- lanceolate, pale yellowish, 15-20 cm. long, 6-7 cm. wide; pistillate portion of the spadix whitish, 4 cm. long, 2 cm. thick, the fertile staminate portion 15 cm. long, the sterile part 4 cm. long; ovaries short-ovoid.
|
|
Distribution
|
Cultivated commonly in tropical America, Africa, and Asia. Native of tropical America, but the original habitat unknown. Often escaping from cultivation and becoming naturalized, as in Panama.
|
|
Specimen
|
PANAMA: Juan Franco Race Track, Standley 2768i; Rio Tapia, Standley 281I3; Taboga Island, Standley 27875.
|
|
Note
|
Local names are OMI, Badu, and Coco, the last two Jamaican. The plant is cultivated locally for its edible roots which are prepared for the table much like potatoes. Illustrated, Mart. Fl. Bras. 32:pl. 43.
|
|
Common
|
OMI Badu
|
|
Common
|
Coco
|
|
Tag
|
|
|
|
Project Name
|
|
Tag
|
|
|
|