ABSTRACT:

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.Gon~., X. blandum Schott, X. brasiliense (Desf.) Eng!., X. mafaffa Schott, X. mafaffa Schott "lineolatum", X. monstruosum E.G.Gon~., X. panduriforme E.G.Gon~., X. riedelianum (Schott) Schott, X. robustum Schott, X. sagittifolium (1.) Schott, X. taioba E.G.Gon~. and X. violaceum Schott, all of them illustrated with pictures.