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Colocasia (From kolokasia the Greek name)

(from kolokasia, the Greek name for the root of an Egyptian plant). ORD. Aroideae (Araceae). A small genus of stove herbaceous plants, with a perennial tuberous or creeping rhizome. Flowers unisexual; the females at the base of the spadix, separated from the males by short ovoid neutral organs; spathe with a convolute persistent base; the lamina long-lanceolate, deciduous. Scapes and leaves radical; the lamina often very large, cordate or peltate, undivided. For culture, see Caladium.

C. antiquorum (ancient).* Taro. fl., spathe green, with the lamina or blade 6in. or more long, much longer than the spadix. l. ovate, more or less peltate and cordate, often above 1ft. long and broad. h. 2ft. East Indies (cultivated in South Europe and throughout the tropics), 1551.

C. esculenta (edible).* fl. whitish; spadix shorter than the ovatelanceolate spathe. l. peltate-cordate. h. 2ft. Sandwich Islands, &c., 1739. This fine species has been used with great success in sub-tropical gardening in the midland and southern counties. For this purpose, it should be planted out early in June, in thoroughly drained, warm, light and rich soil. In very hot weather, a plentiful supply of water must be administered, and occasionally liquid manure. On the approach of frost, all the leaves, except the central one, must be cut down to within 2in. of the crown. A few days after this operation, the tubers should be taken up, exposed for a few hours to the air, to become dry, and then stored away for the winter in the greenhouse, or any other frost and damp proof situation. SYN. Caladium esculentum. C. indica (Indian).* fl. brownish; spadices axillary. l. ovate, bifid at base, rounded. Plant caulescent, sub-erect. h. 5ft. Sandwich Islands &c., 1824. SYN. Arum indicum.

C. nymphaeifolia (Nymphaea-leaved). fl., spadix longer than the white cylindrical spathe, sagittate at the end. l. peltate-cordate, sagittate. Plant stemless. India, 1800.

C. odorata (fragrant).* fl. very fragrant; spadix as long as the white cymbiform spathe. l. cordate, with rounded lobes, 3ft. long. Plant caulescent. Peru, 1818.