taro

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


a familiar food plant, Colocasia species, widely cultivated in tropicalregions, especially in Polynesia. The word is Polynesian,and much used by the Maoris.

1846. J. Lindley, `Vegetable Kingdom,' p. 128 [Stanford]:

«Whole fields of Colocasia macrorhyza are cultivatedin the South Sea Islands under the name tara or kopeh roots.»

1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' p. 374:

«Many a bed,

That late in such luxurious neatness spread,

Of melons, maize and taro – – now a wreck.»

1878. Lady Brassey, `Voyage in the Sunbeam,' p. 263:

«A good-looking man was busy broiling beef-steaks, stewingchickens and boiling taro, and we had soon a plentifulrepast set before us.»

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