Synonym are X. violaceum Schott., Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott

Common names are Indian Spinach, Ceylon Spinach, Gambian Spinach, Vine Spinach, Malabar Nightshade, Malabar Spinach (Eng.); BaseIle, Brede de Malabar (Fr.); Espinaca (variedad de), Espinaca de Ceilan (Sp.); Malabarspinat (Ger.); Poi (Ind.); Alugbati, Grana (Philipp.); Remayong (Mal.); Gendola (Indon.); Bretaila, Libato, AceIca Trepadora (W.I.).

Common names are Tan(n)ia, Tannier, Yautia, Elephant’s Ear (Eng.); Chou Caraibe (Fr.); Belembe, Calalu, Malanga, Tayobe, Tayonne, Tayo Tyo (W.I.); Mangaretto, Rascadera, Taioba (Braz.); Yautia (Lat. Amer.); Kimpool.(Indon.); Kong Kong Taro (Pap. N. Gum.); Maduma (E. Afr.). In West Africa and other areas, Xanthosoma is commonly referred to as Tocoyam’

Indigenous to southern Europe and Asia, probably derived from B. vulgaris subsp. maritima L. Thell. (Wild Sea Beet), now fairly widely distributed in the tropics.

Cultivated in tropical Asia (India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia); the Caribbean: West Africa. In the Philippines, the red-leaved form is grown in preference to cultivars with green leaves. Both forms are cultivated to a limited extent in West Africa.

A herbaceous perennial, 1.3-2.5 m in height. Stems: the main underground stems are generally referred to as tubers or corms and may be white, pink or yellow. The smaller offshoots produced by the main corm are often termed cormels; 10 or more cormels, 10-25 cm in length, are normally produced. Leaves: large, light green, sagittate or hastatc with a marginal vein and two large basal lobes, prominent marginal vein; petioles up to 3 in in length; pigmentation variable with red-purple forms occurring. Flowers: rarely formed, although flowering is more likely to occur in wet regions.

Heavy clay soils are considered to be unsuitable for the cultivation of this crop which is often grown in areas where the soil moisture content is too low for the successful cultivation of Colocasia. Mulching may assist in the retention of soil moisture during the dry season. A high level of soil organic material is essential for early maturity of the underground stems. Fertilizers containing nitrogen may be required as supplementary surface dressings at intervals during the early growing period.

Propagation and planting Propagation is by seed, particularly in Africa; in Asia cuttings up to 25 cm in length are commonly used. For seed propagation, the whole fruit is often sown in nursery beds, the seedlings being transplanted when 10-12 cm high. Seedlings or rooted cuttings are transplanted to beds on a square planting of 40-50 cm X 40-50 cm, or alternatively, in rows 60-70 cm apart, 25-30 cm between plants. On a commercial scale, with a density of 50 000 plants/ha, 10 kg/ha of seed will be required. Support is required if the plants are to develop fully but frequent pruning of laterals, such as occurs during harvesting, is necessary to prolong the vegetative phase of growth and prevent early seed production. Irrigation: This should be liberal until the seedlings or transplanted cuttings are well established. Subsequent irrigation is required only during dry periods.

Harvesting of the young shoots may normally begin 55-70 days from trans- planting, continuing at regular intervals for approximately six months. The shoots removed are normally 15-25 cm in length; flowering shoots should also be removed to encourage continued leaf production. Yield: Variable but, depending on the cultivar characteristics and the frequency of harvest, single plants may yield up to 1.5 kg of fresh leaves and young shoots over a period of 180 days.

Commercially grown crops may yield approximately 50 t/ha.

The shoots and leaves are relatively high in food value, providing a useful source of vitamins and minerals. The leaves of most forms contain mucilage and are normally cooked with meat or fish. The juice from the fruits is sometimes used as a food colouring.