Red+Stem+Taro+(Colocasia+esculenta)

='Red Stem Taro'= =//Colocasia// //esculenta//= ==

Colocasia esculenta (commonly known as 'Red Stem Taro' or 'elephant ears'), native to tropical Asia and India, is considered one of the first plants cultivated by humans for it's starchy, edible, bulb-like corms. Although edible, Taro must be cooked due to high concentrations of calcium oxalate it's raw form.

//**Characteristics:**// Today, Red Stem Taro is found almost exclusive in the wild, where It is a perennial, evergreen, winter-dormant, that will die back to a corm to over-winter. It's preferable growing conditions are mild climates with organically-rich, moist-to-aquatic soil conditions//.// The plant is characterized by it's huge arrow-shaped leaves that are attached at the center to tall red leaf stems that arise directly from a corm. The leaf stem attaches to the leaf centrally. Taro flowers are small, and often concealed by the plants large leaves, however when seen are creamy-yellow and fragrant. In addition, the flowers are occasionally followed by columns of red or orange berry like fruits.

In addition to being an edible perennial, a water-soluble extract of Colocasia esculenta has recently been identified for it's anti-metastatic properties relating to both breast and prostate cancer.
 * Medicinal Properties:**


 * Growing Conditions:**
 * **Soil pH:** Acidic, Neutral, or Alkaline
 * **Soil Drainage:** Average
 * **Soil type:** Loam, Sand
 * **Tolerances:** Wet Site
 * **Growth Rate:** Fast
 * **Water Requirements:** Average Water, Ample Water
 * **Habit: Clump**: Forming
 * **Seasonal Interest:** Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

//Sources://

http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/colocasia-esculenta-red-stem/ http://www.agristarts.com/htm/ts_pages/colocasia_redstem.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colocasia_esculenta_dsc07801.jpg http://www.pondmart.com/v/vspfiles/photos/17215-2T.jpg

Kundu, N., Campbell, P., Hampton, B., Lin, C. Y., Ma, X. R., Ambulos, N.,. . . Fulton, A. M. (2012). Antimetastatic activity isolated from Colocasia esculenta (taro). [Article]. Anti-Cancer Drugs, 23(2), 200-211. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0b013e32834b85e8