title: Xanthosoma caracu
text: # Xanthosoma caracu
  
  Xanthosoma caracu (yautia horqueta) is a species of edible plant described by Karl Koch and Carl David Bouché. It is native to South America and cultivated in Puerto Rico.
  
  ## Description
  
  Xanthosoma carau grows to between 1.5 metres (5 feet) to 1.8 m (6 ft) in height. The leaves are bluish-green and glossy on top and pale underneath, growing up to 0.61 m (2 ft) long and 38 centimetres (15 inches) wide.
  
  ## Toxicity
  
  The entire plant contains a toxin which requires it to be cooked before it can be safely eaten.
  
  ## Uses
  
  The corms and leaves are edible and are cultivated for food in Mexico, the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico) and northern South America. The corms are high in starch.
  
  