The Commonly Cultivated Species of Xanthosoma Schott (Araceae), including Four New Species

The genus Xanthosoma Schott is widely cultivated in the tropics, but very little is known about its taxonomy, especially concerning the cultivated species. This article presents a key for determination, as well as morphological descriptions and additional information about 14 forms/species of commonly cultivated Xanthosoma, including four new species. The species surveyed (and described) are: X. appendiculatum Schott, X. atrovirens C.Koch & Bouche, X. aureum E . G . Gonç . , X. blandum Schott, X. brasiliense (Desf.) Eng!., X. mafaffa Schott, X. mafaffa Schott "lineolatum", X. monstruosum E . G . Gonç. , X. panduriforme E . G . Gonç. , X. riedelianum (Schott) Schott, X. robustum Schott, X. sagittifolium (L.) Schott, X. taioba E . G . Gonç . and X. violaceum Schott, all of them illustrated with pictures.