Cocoyam are herbaceous perennial plants belonging to the Family Araceae are grown primarily for their edible roots, although all parts of the plant are edible. Cocoyams that are cultivated as food crop belong to either the genus coloacasia or the genus xanthosoma and are generally composed of a large spherical form (swollen underground storage stem), from which a few large leaves emerge. The petioles of the leaves (leaf stems) stand erect and reach lengths in excess of 1m (3.3ft). The leaf blades are large and heart shaped and can reach 50cm (15.8 in) in length. The corm produces lateral buds that give rise to side corms (Cormel suckers) or Stalons (long runners, creeping rhizomes) depending on the species and variety. Cocoyam commonly reach in excess of 1m (3.3ft) in height and although they are perennials, they are often grown as annuals, harvested after one season. Colocasia species may also be referred to as taro, old cocoyam, arrowroot, reddoe, maccabo or dasheen and originates from the region of southeast Asia. Xanthosoma species may be referred to as tannia yautla, new cocoyam or Chinese taro and originates from central and south America.
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