Giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos)

Alocasia macrorrhizos, giant taro or mankachu, is a huge aroid with upright, arrow-shaped leaves up to two metres long. Its thick stems and corms are cooked and eaten in Bengal, Assam, Kerala and the Pacific islands. Every part is full of needle-like calcium oxalate crystals that burn the mouth and throat, so it must be cooked thoroughly.

Botanical name: Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don
Family: Araceae
Tamil: Merukizhangu
Hindi: Mankachu
Parts used: Cooked corm
Habit: Giant taro; English taro is a shop word
Last updated: 2026-10-30

How to recognise Giant taro

It forms a thick, trunk-like stem, sometimes a metre or more tall, topped with enormous, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves that point upwards.

Flowers are a pale yellow spathe around a central spike, followed by red berries.

Colocasia esculenta, ordinary taro, has smaller leaves that droop downwards, with the stalk attached near the centre of the blade.

Its leaves are among the largest of any undivided leaf.

Traditional use of Giant taro

Bengali kitchen

Mankachu is grated, boiled and mashed into bata or cooked into curries, often with mustard and tamarind to reduce the itchiness.

Bengali food practice

Pacific

Giant taro is a staple starch on many Pacific islands, baked in earth ovens for hours.

Pacific food practice

Modern notes on Giant taro

The irritation comes from raphides, bundles of needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals, and from enzymes that are destroyed by long cooking.

Acid ingredients such as tamarind and long cooking reduce the itch, which is why traditional recipes include them.

Giant taro safety

Never eat it raw or undercooked. Wear gloves when peeling, and keep it away from children and pets.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia and is grown throughout the tropics.

It grows in wet, shady places and can become invasive outside its native range.

It is often grown as an ornamental elephant-ear plant.

Related plants

Questions about Giant taro

Is Giant taro ordinary taro?

No. Ordinary taro is Colocasia esculenta.

Why does Giant taro itch?

It contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals.

What older names does Alocasia macrorrhizos go by?

Alocasia macrorrhiza and Alocasia indica.

Where is Giant taro eaten in India?

Mainly in Bengal, Assam and Kerala.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.