Wild Taro Research Project

An   international research project supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS Kakenhi No. 17H04614). Project period: 1st April 2017 - 31st March 2021.

See updates: project blog (use link, or menu above).

Taro ( Colocasia esculenta ) is an ancient root and vegetable crop of temperate and tropical regions of Africa, Eurasia, and Oceania. In recent centuries it also reached the Americas. We are attempting to learn more about the natural and cultural history of this crop, in Southeast Asia and beyond.

The application for JSPS funding was submitted in October 2016, and accepted in April 2017. These are public funds administered through the National Museum of Ethnology, Japan, under the direction of the project leader, Dr Peter J. Matthews.

See profile and publications list at Museum website.

Publications related to this project can be found here: Researchgate profile .

Links to publications by other project members can be added to the Project website, as time permits. A Wild Taro Working Group will also be developed here.

C. formosana , vic. Mt Polis, Philippines

(PJM, 22nd Nov. 2011)