Photo by John Nelson SC’s State Fair concluded this past weekend here in Columbia. Much of the midway featured exquisite (albeit unhealthy) treats that make the fair, well…THE FAIR. When you go to your state or county fair, maybe you also eat a certain delicious confection that is made of dough and sugar, fried in oil, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon, and finally resembling the ear of a large pachyderm?

Both of the plants featured in the picture share the name of our favorite fried delicacy. Each was a winner in the judged competition here in Columbia. Both represent single leaves and two completely different, but related, species. Both are native to tropical, southern Asia. They are commonly cultivated and often seen in gardens. These two species are quite similar, being warm–weather perennials with gigantic leaves, but they are actually easy to tell apart.

Photo by Linda Lee The plant on the left has a leaf blade that is notched at the base, and ascending, or erect. Its leaf stalk attaches to the edge of the blade (the way a lollipop is put together). The plant on the right has a leaf blade whose leaf stalk is attached away from the edge and is thus what we call “peltate” (the way an umbrella is put together). The leaf blade, in this case, is descending.

Both plants are historically known as important sources of starch in the diet of Hawaiian and other Pacific cultures, as taro or dasheen. Both species are members of the arum family, a very large plant family, including philodendrons, caladium, voodoo lily, and monstera, to mention a few.

All of the members of this family have tiny flowers attached to spikes, and the flowers are either male or female. The spike bearing the flowers is referred to as the spadix, which is commonly surrounded by a leafy spathe, often green, white, or variously brightly colored. This situation is easily seen when the plants bloom, and is also observed in our native aroids, such as jack–in–the–pulpit, green dragon, and the popular florist’s plant, anthurium. Although some members of this family are important food sources, most of them contain potentially poisonous or irritating cellular constituent, and should never be eaten raw.

Answer to last week’s mystery plant

Persimmon, Diospyros virginiana

Dr. John Nelson is the curator of the USC Herbarium.

To learn more about the Herbarium, call him at

777-8196. His department also offers free plant identification.

www.herbarium.org