Alocasia fornicata
Encyclopedia
Alocasia fornicata is a plant species of many-nerved, broad-leaved, rhizomatous or tuberous perennials from the family Araceae
, found in Asia. It characteristically grows 2' - 3 ' in height with slightly pink petiole, triangular wide shaped leaves and a horizontally growing stolon.
The plant's spadix is collected and cooked in North East India, Mizoram
and Tripura
where the plant is known locally as Baibing. Alocasia affinis is also consumed. Both are a much favored seasonal vegetable.
The plant, including the spadix, contains needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate
known as raphides
that are believed to be a defense mechanism against plant predators that can tear and damage the mucus membranes of the throat or esophagus.
Araceae
Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe or leaf-like bract. Also known as the Arum family, members are often colloquially...
, found in Asia. It characteristically grows 2' - 3 ' in height with slightly pink petiole, triangular wide shaped leaves and a horizontally growing stolon.
The plant's spadix is collected and cooked in North East India, Mizoram
Mizoram
Mizoram is one of the Seven Sister States in North Eastern India, sharing borders with the states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur and with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987. Its capital is Aizawl. Mizoram is located in the...
and Tripura
Tripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
where the plant is known locally as Baibing. Alocasia affinis is also consumed. Both are a much favored seasonal vegetable.
The plant, including the spadix, contains needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate
Calcium oxalate
Calcium oxalate is a chemical compound that forms needle-shaped crystals, known in plants as raphides. A major constituent of human kidney stones, the chemical is also found in beerstone, a scale that forms on containers used in breweries...
known as raphides
Raphides
Raphides are needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate as the monohydrate or calcium carbonate as aragonite, found in more than 200 families of plants.Both ends are needle-like, but raphides tend to be more blunt at one end and more tapering at the other....
that are believed to be a defense mechanism against plant predators that can tear and damage the mucus membranes of the throat or esophagus.