The other type, the eddoe or Chinese taro, produces a much smaller main corm with several slightly smaller edible offshoot corms. The corms are the primary edible portion of the plant. Young leaves and blanched leaves are also eaten as potherbs.

They include the philodendrons, arum lilies and amorphophallus with their purple-black, dead animal-smelling flowers. Most aroids are toxic to some degree but despite this, many are important food plants in the tropics and subtropics, especially the taro clan.

This visual distinction makes it easy to tell these plants apart: If the leaves point up, the plant is probably an Alocasia; if the leaves point down, it's probably a Colocasia.

This combination of resistant starch and fiber makes taro root a good carb option — especially for people with diabetes ( 6 , 7 ). Summary Taro root contains fiber and resistant starch, which both slow digestion and reduce blood sugar spikes after meals.. . . . .364011235858!]0000000000000009783314147699!]