Xanthosoma

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A tropical plant characterized by large, heart-shaped leaves and edible tubers commonly found in Central and South America
2. A member of the genus known for its ornamental foliage and agricultural use as a source of starch-rich roots
3. This plant features striking foliage and plays a role in local cuisines due to its nutritious underground parts

Etymology: Xanthosoma is a genus of tropical plants, and its name was built in the 19th century from two Greek roots: "xanthos," meaning yellow, and "soma," meaning body. The name refers to the yellowish flesh of the plant's underground corms, the swollen stem bases that are dug up and eaten. Botanists formed it as a scientific Latin name in the same way they coined many plant genera, so the Greek parts describe the plant rather than tracing a long ancient history. The genus was named by the German botanist Heinrich Wilhelm Schott, who worked on the Araceae, the arum family to which it belongs. Its relatives include taro and the calla lily, and several species are grown for food under names such as tannia or malanga. Because the common names vary so much from place to place, the scientific name is the most reliable way to refer to the plants.

Synonyms: elephant ear, tannia, cocoyam, yautia, taro