Elephant Yam, Whitespot giant arum

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius

Physical Characteristics

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Flies. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, north Australia, western Pacific

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Corm - cooked[2 , 4 , 103 , 105 ]. Acrid raw[2 ], it must be thoroughly boiled or baked (see notes above on 'Known Hazards'[K ])[46 , 61 ]. A very large root, it can be up to 50cm in diameter[200 , 243 , 266 ]. Corms are usually harvested when three years old, at this stage they can weigh up to 9kg[300 ]. The corms can be stored for several months at 10°c[300 ]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity. The fresh corms are turned into curd, or are chopped then dried[472 ]. The curd is relatively tasteless, but it absorbs flavours well and so can be used as a carbohydrate element in a wide range of other foods[472 ]. Young leaves and petioles - cooked and used as a vegetable[300 ]. They must be thoroughly cooked[105 , 183 ]. Caution is advised, see notes above on possible toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Carminative Dysentery Expectorant Restorative Stomachic Tonic The root is carminative, restorative, stomachic and tonic[240, 243]. It is dried and used in the treatment of piles and dysentery[240, 243]. The fresh root acts as an acrid stimulant and expectorant, it is much used in India in the treatment of acute rheumatism[240, 243]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a family where most of the members contain calcium oxalate crystals. This substance is toxic fresh and, if eaten, makes the mouth, tongue and throat feel as if hundreds of small needles are digging in to them. However, calcium oxalate is easily broken down either by thoroughly cooking the plant or by fully drying it and, in either of these states, it is safe to eat the plant. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[238].