Colocasia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A species of tropical vegetation characterized by its broad, heart-shaped leaves and starchy root tubers commonly found in waterlogged regions
2. This type of plant is noted for its large, rounded leaves and usable, starchy underground storage organs, often cultivated in moist habitats
3. A tropical plant known for its distinctive, large, heart-shaped foliage and edible tubers that thrive in wet environments

Etymology: Colocasia is the Latinized form of the Greek "kolokasia," the name the ancient Greeks gave to this plant, which is still grown for its starchy corms. The Greek name is generally thought to be of non-Greek origin, likely borrowed from an Eastern language, though its exact source is uncertain. Roman writers adopted the Greek term, and it passed into English as a borrowing from Latin. The plant's most familiar relatives are taro, the cultivated staple of Pacific and Southeast Asian diets, and the elephant ear, the name gardeners often use for its enormous leaves. Because the species thrives in standing water, it was long associated with wetlands and paddies, where its tubers could be harvested with relatively little labour.