colocasia esculenta

• 
• products
  • root
• features
  • staple eat
  • attractor
  • potassium accumulator
• edible, root vegetable, high starch
• products
  • corm: edible root rich in starch, used in cooking
  • leaves: edible after proper cooking, rich in fiber and vitamins
  • flour: made from dried corms for baking and gluten-free recipes
  • medicine: used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory and digestive health properties
• features
  • perennial: grows back yearly with proper care
  • root: underground corm stores starch and nutrients
    • starch
    • dietary fiber
  • leave: large, heart-shaped, glossy, rich in nutrients
    • vitamin a
    • vitamin c
    • calcium
    • iron
  • flower: small, enclosed in a spathe, rarely blooms
  • corm: primary edible part, starchy and rich in carbohydrates
• environment: thrives in tropical and subtropical regions with ample moisture
  • climate: requires warm, humid conditions; grows best in wetlands or well-irrigated areas
    • water needs: high
    • optimal temp: 25–30°C
    • humidity: >70%
    • flood-tolerance: excellent
  • soil: prefers loamy, well-drained soil but can tolerate clay-rich soils
    • soil pH: 5.5–6.5
• lifecycle
  • germination: sprouts in 10–15 days from corms
  • growth: develops large leaves and matures in 6–12 months depending on variety
  • harvest: corms are ready for harvest when leaves start wilting
• operations
  • propagate plants: mainly vegetative, using corms or cormels
  • maintenance:
    • irrigation: consistent moisture is essential
    • weed control: weeds compete with young plants and should be removed regularly
  • harvest:
    • corm: harvested after 6–12 months
    • leaves: can be harvested multiple times before maturity
• links
  • wiki

chemical compounds

compound	part of plant	amount (approx.)	properties/usefulness
---------------------	-------------------	-----------------------	-----------------------------------------
amylose	corm	60% of starch	energy storage, slow digestion
cellulose	leaves, corm	trace amounts	supports digestion, dietary fiber
vitamin a	leaves	5,000 IU per 100g	antioxidant, supports vision
vitamin c	leaves, corm	20 mg per 100g	immune booster, antioxidant
calcium	leaves, corm	50 mg per 100g	bone health, muscle function
potassium	leaves, corm	650 mg per 100g	regulates blood pressure and hydration
magnesium	corm	30 mg per 100g	supports muscle and nerve function
oxalates	leaves, corm	trace (toxic raw)	reduced by cooking, can cause irritation
quercetin	leaves	trace amounts	antioxidant, anti-inflammatory