What are aroids? What is taro? Aroid, or taro, is the common name for the highly divers members of the Araceae family of plants which consists of over 100 genera and around 3750 species. Several of its family members, such as Anthurium, Caladium, Dieffenbachia and Philodendron, are among the world’s most popular ornamental plants. Plants of the Araceae family belong or are related to the arum family, and although widely known as aroids, if aroids are referred to as food, these are commonly referred to as taro, although taro is a generic Austronesian term for Colocasia, Alocasia and Cyrtosperma taro that is believed to originate in Asia (Kiple et al. 2000; Ramanatha et. al. 2010). According to archaeologists and ethnobotanists ‘Asian’ taro is the world’s oldest known cultivated crop, its domestication and cultivation already occurred when rice and wheat were just weeds (Matthews 1995; Bown 2000; Ivanicic & Lebot 2003; Ramanatha et al. 2010). Together with Colocasia, genera of Xanthosoma taro (L. Xanthosoma spp.) are the most widely grown and consumed aroids. Xanthosoma taro is the only indigenous American aroid that is widely used for food and considered a most important food crop. Furthermore, numerous languages and dialects use a great variety of overlapping, common and uncommon names to describe aroid genera, …show more content…
Prior to the exhibition “Pom on the Menu” (Pom op het Menu) two group discussions about pom were held and attended by approximately eighteen participants. Apart from sound recordings of the group discussions, and from May 21st until August 31st, 2007, the exhibition showed collections of pom recipes, photographs, film screenings, displayed the ingredients and organized a ‘cooking pom’
While it is still unsure when and how banana cultivators reached the Americas, it is sure that they have been present in the region for about 400 years. Banana trade formed itself around a single species of banana called Gros Michel. The banana is a narrow genetic base that shapes its future export production in tedious ways. For example, Argo-ecosystems were a result of small and large-scale production of Gros Michel bananas. Which are “places created and transformed by fluid processes that are subject to change over time and space” (Soluri 5). Natural habitats were replaced and spaces were created that invited the pathogens with Gros Michel’s monocultures, which caused problems for
Sheshadri, T. (2001, December 26). Student recognized for agricultural acumen. The San Diego Union Tribune, N1-4. Retrieved on March 20, 2002 from Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe (Newspapers) on the World Wide Web: http://www.lexisnexis.com/universe.htm.
One of the methods to acquire food for the Cahuilla was through Gathering and Harvesting seasonal foods. One of the most notable food the Cahuilla’s enjoyed was the Pinion Nuts. Pinion Nuts derive from a pine tree that is local to the South Western California and upper Mexico. The pine tree contains a small edible s...
Signs of farming in Greece date back to the period 6200 to 5300 BC where most systematically cultivate of barley , millet , oats , wheat , lentils , peas and acorns is stated . Alongside they used many wild plants ,trees and their products such as olives, almonds , peanuts , grapes , cherries , plums and pears . Later we find evidence of findings for other species cultivated or found in the wild such as apples , figs , blackberries , wild strawberries , pomegranates , dill , capers , oregano, coriander etc.
Since the beginning of the human race mankind has depended on the natural resources in their environment for survival. They utilized the available flora to nourish their body, heal their wounds, comfort their ailments and to create products to ease their daily lives. Many of the same plants utilized thousands of years ago by the indigenous people have been integrated into modern day medicines. The scientific interest and knowledge of plants for nourishment, healing, and practical uses is called ethnobotany.
Cuisine is a big factor in the identity of a culture and many people will list food as a factor that makes a country what it is, even using Damper for an example, many people see it is an Australian classic and part of Australia's history. Analysing these two iconic recipes, we can begin to view what kinds of communication is used and by looking at this, the history and the shaping of culture we gain a deeper understanding of the impact and importance of food in both Australia, Japan and around the world. Through this analysis it is hoped that a better understanding of these topics is acquired and an in depth reflection is produced.
...iple types of plants in them) rather than monoculture as found in the Old World.
Prasad, V., Strömberg, C. A. E., Leache, A. D., Samant, B., Patnaik, R., Tang, L., ... & Sahni, A. (2011). Late Cretaceous origin of the rice tribe provides evidence for early diversification in Poaceae. Nature communications, 2, 480.
Domestication of plants and animals has long been indicated as a main causational factor for population increase and socio-political complexity. Evidence of domestication of plants in South America has been said of have initially occurred 8000 BC, evidence of squash in Ecuador (Pearsall 2008:107), and 500 years earlier lima beans and chili peppers are being exploited (Lynch 1983:125-6). However, it took several millennia for intensive manipulation of plants to become standard practice for subsistence. The Archaic transition occurred around 3000 BC was identifiable for its
Janick. J. (2011). Center for New Crops & Plant Products - Department of Horticulture and
Before the land of what we no class Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and other countries in the middle east grains, such as wheat and wild barley, could be seen growing in the wild without human hand to cultivate and nurture it (Authors 2007). Over time, humans began to recognize the benefit of the plants and began the first signs of human agriculture. The skill of farming took time and trial and error, but along the way, humans began to settle down to tend to their crops. Though the first crops were nothing more than seed s thrown about without rhyme or reason to the process we know today such as fields having, rows and sorting out the seeds to create a higher yield each harvest (Authors 2007). Because of the trial and error process, agriculture of plants did not take place of a short period but took many, many years to evolve to what we know today as agriculture; the new fa...
Kuddus , Mohammed, Ibrahim A. M. Ginawi, and Awdah Al-Hazimi. “Cannabis sativa: An Ancient Wild Edible Plant of India.” Emirates Journal of Food & Agriculture 25.10 (2013) : 736-745. Print.
Common names for Datura are numerous, some of the most common ones being raving nightshade, thorn apple, stinkweed, Devil's apple, Jimson weed, and angel's trumpet (Heiser 1969:140 and Avery 1959:19). Datura can be found throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas as either native or adventive plants, and some have also been found in Africa and Australia (Conklin 1976:5). The epicenter of diversity of this plant is in the New World, specifically in Andean South America and in the southwestern United States/Mexico region (Lewis 1977:423-4). This data correlates with the generally agreed upon origin of Datura, although this topic was debated for some time. Researchers now believe the plant originated and evolved in Mexico and the American Southwest, followed by adaptive radiation into new desert environments (Conklin 1976:5).
Since the plant’s domestication the sunflower has been one of the most important crops in production that is native to North America, comparable to maize and wheat. The sunflower, what was once a plant utilized only in the Americas is now one of the most widely and diversely recognized used plant species in the world.
... Chapter 25: Origins of Food Production. Oxford University Press. University of California Davis. Pg 476, 482, 478, 479-480