Wild taro
Quick Facts |  |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Colocasia esculenta |
| Origin | India, Southeast Asia |
| Introduction | Early 1900s, food crop |
| Aquatic community | Emergent |
| Habitat | Wet soils, shallow water, floating islands |
| Distribution | Statewide |
| Management effort | Eradicate new colonies |
| 2012 public waters / plant acres: | 254 / 724 |
Environmental and Economic Concerns
- Displaces native plants, especially along shaded shorelines and in wetlands
- Expanded from 35% to 60% of Florida’s public water bodies between 1983-2008
- Shoreline populations break loose, forming floating islands that block access, cover native plant habitat
- roots in new areas, spreading the infestation
Colocasia esculenta
Colocasia esculenta
Management Options | |
|---|---|
| Biological | None available |
| Chemical | Imazamox, 2,4-D + diquat + Kinetic, glyphosate, triclopyr |
| Mechanical | Harvest floating mats; roots fragment into new plant |
| Physical | Hand pulling; use caution due to oxalic acid irritant in plant |
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Status of the Aquatic Plant Maintenance Program in Florida Public Waters, Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2009-2010.
Last updated: 13 May 2013