Ethnobotanical survey of edible aroids in the Philippines; 1: farmers' beliefs, experiences and uses
1997
Pardales, J.R. Jr. (Visayas State Coll. of Agriculture, Baybay, Leyte (Philippines). Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center)
Taro (Colocasia esculenta), yautia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza), swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis) and elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus) comprise the edible aroids (Araceae) in the Philippines. Among these, it is only taro that is culturally and economically important. Yautia is also important but only to a very limited degree. Because of their use and extent of production, taro and yautia are considered as major aroids while the other three, minor aroids. The major aroids are grown largely for food in practically all parts of the country whereas, the minor aroids are planted as surety crops especially in calamity-prone areas and for processing into special food products. The minor aroids can be found in greater concentration only in certain places of the country. The people in many rural areas adhere to a lot of folk beliefs regarding increasing the size of corms, getting rid of the itchy nature, and ensuring good yield of the edible aroids. The indigenous knowledge system and traditional uses of the edible aroids are two significant reasons why the edible aroids, particularly the minor ones, are still in cultivation at present in some locations
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