ABSTRACT

The genus Cyrtosperma has 12 species, which, except Cyrtosperma chamissionis, are confined to New Guinea and its associated islands, Philippines, Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Oceania. Giant swamp taro is mainly cultivated for its underground corms grown along stream banks in the tropical and subtropical forests. Giant swamp taro is the dominant tuber vegetable in coral islands of the Pacific. The primary produce of this crop is the underground corm, which varies in characteristics with cultivar and age. Giant swamp taro is used in traditional medicines in many of the low and high islands of Micronesia. The yellow mould from sun-dried corms sliced also used to treat skin infections. Giant swamp taro is a water-loving plant, which is well adapted to fresh to brackish water conditions in coastal marshes, natural and manmade swamps and pit depressions. The cultivation of giant swamp taro is limited to the swampy lowland regions of the world.