Xanthosoma sagittifolium
A tropical tuberous Araceae perennial with sagittate leaves and edible underground tubers, widely grown as a major tropical staple carbohydrate
Common Names
Arrowleaf Elephant Ear, Yautía, Tannia, Cocoyam, Malanga
Summary
Native to tropical America, this robust tropical Araceae is commonly called tannia, cocoyam, or arrowhead elephant ear. It features large arrow-shaped leaves and a thick underground tuber, reaches about 1.8–2.7 m tall, and spreads by rhizomes with edible cormels and edible young leaves when cooked. A milky sap is produced when cut, and all parts contain calcium oxalate crystals, so raw consumption can irritate the mouth and throat; tubers and leaves must be cooked or dried to be eaten safely.
Cultivation favors warm, humid tropical conditions with fertile, well-drained loam and a soil pH of 5.5–7.0; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Propagation is by dividing corms or rhizomes; in the growing season a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer is recommended every 4–6 weeks. Uses include edible tubers and leaves; tubers can be ground into flour or used as a staple, and young leaves are eaten cooked; the plant is also grown for ornamental purposes in suitable tropical landscapes.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2-9 feet
Spread
2-8 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 8-10
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally Partial Shade to Full Shade, tolerates Full Sun to Partial Shade.
Soil Type
Fertile, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
5.5-7.0
Bloom Color
Cream-colored, white or yellowish, green-yellow-white (spathe) with yellowish-white spadix.
Bloom Time
Fall and Winter
Foliage Color
Light green to very dark green
Fall Foliage Color
Not applicable; not deciduous.
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous, Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Fast-growing
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds (rarely produced), Cuttings, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts pollinating insects
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (L.) Schott
- Publication
- Melet. Bot. : 19 (1832)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Alismatales
- Family
- Araceae
- Genus
- Xanthosoma
Synonyms
Philodendron nigrum Arum nigrum Arum sagittifolium Arum xanthorrhizon Xanthosoma appendiculatum Xanthosoma atrovirens Xanthosoma atrovirens var. appendiculatum Xanthosoma edule Xanthosoma ianthinum Xanthosoma maculatum Xanthosoma mafaffa Xanthosoma nigrum Xanthosoma peregrinum Xanthosoma roseum Xanthosoma sagittifolium Xanthosoma utile Xanthosoma violaceum Xanthosoma wallisii Caladium edule Caladium mafaffa Caladium sagittifolium Caladium utile Caladium xanthorrhizon Xanthosoma atrovirens var. hybridum Xanthosoma atrovirens var. kochii Xanthosoma atrovirens var. panduriforme Xanthosoma atrovirens var. versicolor Xanthosoma poeppigii var. mafaffa Xanthosoma aureum Xanthosoma monstruosum Xanthosoma panduriforme Xanthosoma mafaffa var. typicum Xanthosoma jacquinii Xanthosoma obtusilobum Xanthosoma xanthorrhizon Xanthosoma atrovirens var. moritzii Alocasia talipan Alocasia alboviolacea