Synonyms

Amorphophallus campanulatus Decne.

Amorphophallus decurrens (Blanco) Kunth

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Alismatales

Family: Araceae

Native: Southeast Asia

Common Names

English – Elephant Foot Yam

Malayalam – ചേന

Description: A fascinating plant species with unique characteristics and significant cultural and culinary importance in many parts of the world. A herbaceous aroid biennial shrub reaching up to 2m tall, with no stem above ground. Solitary stem-like leaf stalk is fleshy, green and speckled with attractive paler green spots or blotches. Flowers once in two years. The flowers produce a stinging and biting smell that attracts flies for pollination. 

Habitat:  Moist deciduous, also in the plains

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka and Pacific Islands

Uses: Dried tubers used medicinally to relieve piles, digestive problems and dysentery, while fresh roots are used as expectorant. People with rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should exercise caution when consuming the tubers. The rhizomes (underground stem) are edible after cooking.