Abstract
Colocasia esculenta, or taro, is an emergent aquatic and semi-aquatic plant, native to Asia, which is cultivated for its edible corm in several parts of the world. This species has colonized or invaded wetlands and rivers in different parts of the world (e.g., Southeast USA, Southwestern Australia, Southern Africa, etc.) thus suggesting that early detection of this species should be conducted. Here we present the first report of an invasive population of C. esculenta in the Iberian Peninsula (Southern Europe). Characteristics of the patches found that serve as an early diagnosis of the degree of invasion and the origin of introduction are given. The current population consists of a number of patches that are heterogeneously distributed along the stream (ca. 7 km). Monospecific Taro patches displace native species and provoke the narrowing of river sections, similar to rivers and wetlands in Australia or the United States where this species is considered an invasive plant. This new record also suggests the ability of this tropical species to withstand the long dry summers typical of the Mediterranean climate within permanent streams.
Highlights
Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, is an emergent, perennial, aquatic and semi-aquatic herbaceous species of the Araceae family, native to Asia (Plucknett 1976)
Taro is a traditional root crop of the tropics grown for its edible corms and leaves
The objective of this paper is to report the first record of Colocasia esculenta in continental Europe and to assess the incipient degree of invasion to provide a basis for management
Summary
Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott (taro, elephant ear or cocoyam), is an emergent, perennial, aquatic and semi-aquatic herbaceous species of the Araceae family, native to Asia (between Myanmar and Bangladesh) (Plucknett 1976). Taro is a traditional root crop of the tropics grown for its edible corms and leaves It is one of the earliest crop plants used as food in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea where it has been used for more than 10,000 years (Loy et al 2002). In Texas and Southwest Australia, extensive stands of elephant ear alter the vegetation composition, structure and dynamics of riparian plant communities. These consequences have led to the implementation of management actions to control invasive populations (Atkins and Williamson 2008; Brown and Brooks 2003)
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