Tag: Amorphophallus

While Suran is often called 'Elephant Foot Yam' in English, it is botanically distinct from true yams, which belong to the *Dioscorea* family. The key difference between Suran and yam lies in their botanical families, appearance, and specific preparation methods, which are crucial for any culinary enthusiast to understand.

While the name "voodoo lily" might conjure up images of a mysterious, inedible plant, its tuberous root is in fact a source of food in some parts of Asia, but only when processed correctly. A single, striking compound leaf, often mistaken for a small tree, grows from its corm, which is the source of the high-fiber flour known as konjac glucomannan. However, the raw plant contains toxic calcium oxalate crystals that can cause severe irritation if ingested.