Family: Araceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Xanthosoma sagittifolium, commonly known as Mickey mouse taro or mouse-cup taro, is a tropical aroid native to Costa Rica through northern and southern tropical South America. It is a large, herbaceous perennial with striking, arrow-shaped leaves that resemble those of taro, although it belongs to a different genus. The plant grows from underground corms and thrives in warm, moist environments. It is widely cultivated throughout the tropics as a food crop, with its starchy corms and, in some cultures, its young leaves consumed after proper cooking to remove naturally occurring calcium oxalate crystals. It is also grown as an ornamental for its bold tropical foliage in gardens and landscapes.

Risks & Threats
Although Xanthosoma sagittifolium is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses traits that are cause for concern. The species can reproduce vegetatively from corms and plant fragments, allowing it to persist and spread where growing conditions are favorable. In other tropical regions, escaped plants have established outside cultivation, particularly in wet habitats and disturbed areas. Dense growth may compete with native vegetation and be difficult to remove once established. Ongoing evaluation is needed to determine whether this species could impact Hawaii. Gardeners are encouraged to cultivate it responsibly and prevent the disposal of corms or plant material into natural areas or waterways.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean Islands
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Other species in genus are weedy or invasive
  
• Possibly toxic if eaten raw
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• If fruit and seeds are produced, may be dispersed by birds
  
• A geophyte that can resprout from corms
  
• May be a synonym for X. sagittifolium, which is invasive in certain areas

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite ability to spread, no negative impacts have been documented
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Edible crop
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value
  
• Possibly seedless or limited seed production in cultivation