Eight Feet Tall Elephant Ear Plant

In gardening, elephant ears are grown for their large, heart-shaped leaves like of the elephant's ear. They can be identified exotic or a wild kind. While these leaves can reach 3' long and 2' wide in the tropics, while in some countries in the North they will remain smaller like a height of 2'-3' only depending on growing conditions, but still appear to be very impressive. Elephant ear plants can grow 8' tall in my country Philippines.

Fortunately, I was able to have this giant Colocasia esculenta (elephant ear plant scientific name) used as a center point in my landscaping a year ago. Actually in my country, they can be found almost anywhere surviving and fast growing without being cared. They grow abundantly on humid places like small ponds and water way because as a wetland plant, they crave for water but they can be overwintered in cold climates. Since my country is very much a place for this kind, in any instance, a plant hobbyist could have this common variety as an important element when troubled finding suitable plant for wet landscape spaces.

In the North, where plant growth is limited, people take advantage of their large, attractive foliage and grow them amongst other plants. They are fertilized with a high-nitrogen fertilizer feeding the plant to grow on its root a somewhat called a "corm" and the leaves and stems in culinary is termed as "taro" or "coco yam". Nonetheless, all parts of elephant ear plants can upset the stomach if ingested without being properly cooked first. The sap, moreover, can be a skin-irritant.

There is no complicated ways to extend the growth of elephant ear plant as long as it is provided with the sun and soil requirement mentioned. They can be left outside a year-round and considered as an invasive plant for its tendency to spread out of control. Thus, in landscaping, it should be treated annually when used in landscaping purposes.

I am an Ilongga who lives in the Visayan Province of the country Philippines. Elephant Ear Plant is locally known as "Badyang". Most people can't recognize the plant when someone is looking and asking for them through its universal term. Thus, better ask for a Badyang Plant if ever you visit the country. Badyang had been named also as Taro, talo, dalo, dago, aba, angel, aro, and ma as given by the different islands of Pacific South-East Asia.

What is elephant ear plant?

Do you want to see elephant ear photos?

How to prepare Taro for cooking purposes?

Other Taro Recipes:

TARO CHICKEN

FILIPINO LAING (Taro in Coconut Milk)

FRIED TARO

TARO WITH SEAFOOD

On many islands taro root does not play the important part in daily life that it once did. It is often expensive to buy. People who live in towns and work all day sometimes prefer to cook rice rather than growing or buying and preparing tarot Many Pacific Islanders are now buying rice instead of this nourishing root, because rice cooks more quickly.

The Pacific Islands have a very special food in the taro plant. The tuber and the leaves provide the vitamins, minerals and energy the body needs to stay healthy.

Imported European vegetables are costly compared with this health-giving and tasty food plant readily available in the Pacific.

Nutritional value

Growing in the ground throughout the islands is a nutritional treasure - the taro plant.

The root

Taro root (tuber) is an excellent source of energy, which the body needs to stay active. It also provides fibre, which is needed to make the intestines and bowels work properly.

When eaten regularly, as it usually is in most rural areas in the Pacific, taro root is also a good source of calcium and iron. Calcium helps to make strong bones and teeth, and iron helps keep blood healthy. Women and young children need lots of iron in their diet.

The leaves

Taro leaves contain a large amount of Vitamin A, which is needed for proper growth, healthy eyes and protection from disease. They are a good source of Vitamin C and Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Vitamin C keeps the body tissues strong, helps the body use iron and helps chemical actions in the body, and-riboflavin is needed for normal growth and healthy eyes.

Taro leaves contain Vitamin B1 (thiamin), which helps the body use energy foods. Taro leaves also contain useful amounts of calcium and iron.

Everyone should eat some green leafy vegetables every day; taro leaves are one good choice.

The bar graph shows that polished white rice provides some energy and protein, but very few vitamins and minerals compared to taro root or leaves. Brown rice contains more nutrients than white rice, but it is still not as nutritious as taro root or leaves. Eating rice alone is not a healthy habit. Rice should always be mixed with green and yellow vegetables and meat or fish to make a healthy complete meal.

The traditional way of eating the root and leaves of the taro plant with fish or meat, or other body-building protein foods, will provide all the nutrients necessary for a healthy and active body.

-diadempearl