| Xanthosoma caracu | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Genus: | Xanthosoma |
| Species: | X. caracu |
| Binomial name | |
| Xanthosoma caracu K.Koch & C.D.Bouché | |
Xanthosoma caracu (yautia horqueta) is a species of edible plant described by Karl Koch and Carl David Bouché. It is native to South America and cultivated in Puerto Rico.
Description
Xanthosoma caracu grows to between 1.5 metres (5 feet) to 1.8 m (6 ft) in height. The leaves are bluish-green and glossy on top and pale underneath, growing up to 0.61 m (2 ft) long and 38 centimetres (15 inches) wide.
Toxicity
The entire plant contains a toxin which requires it to be cooked before it can be safely eaten.
Uses
The corms and leaves are edible and are cultivated for food in Mexico, the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico) and northern South America. The corms are high in starch.
References
- "Xanthosoma caracu K.Koch & C.D.Bouché". The Plant List. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
- Liogier, Alain H. (2000). Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: A Systematic Synopsis. La Editorial. p. 250. ISBN 9780847703692.
- Morton, Julia F. (1972). "Cocoyams (Xanthosoma Caracu, X.Atrovirens and X. Nigrum), Ancient Root-and Leaf- Vegetables, Gaining in Economic Importance". Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 85: 85–94.
- ^ United States Department of the Army (2009). The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-60239-692-0. OCLC 277203364.
- Mansfeld, Rudolf (2001). Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: (Except Ornamentals). Springer Science & Business Media. p. 2329. ISBN 9783540410171.
- Wiersema, John H. (1999). World Economic Plants: A Standard Reference. CRC Press. p. 531. ISBN 9780849321191.
Data related to Xanthosoma caracu at Wikispecies