Specific Cultivated Edible Roots 



36. Ot6 



Xanthosoma violaceum 



The large tuberous ot6 root is good to eat when thoroughly- 

 cooked. The leaves may also be cooked and eaten like spinach. 

 CAUTION: The raw roots and leaves contain crystals which will 

 irritate the mouth and throat. However, this poison is removed 

 by cooking. The plant is most frequently found in cultivation, 

 but it runs wild in some localities. The green leaves are usually 

 tinged with dark purple. There are several varieties of this 

 plant, all of which look much alike. It is called vautia in the 

 West Indies, quequesque in Northern Central America, badu and 

 coco in the British West Indies and malango in Cuba. 



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