I was sold a green leafy vegetable described by the clerk as similar to spinach from Bangladesh with a long stem. Upon eating it, i immediately became highly distressed as my mouth began to sting and burn as did my roommates. I thought it was some kind of poisonous or allergic reaction and was very worried. It didn't completely subside till the following morning. Upon returning to the store and complaining the clerk did not flinch. Said I'm supposed to boil it, which nobody mentioned before. Further he could not name the plant or veg. Highly suspicious. Please help me identify this plant Pictures included
Re: Need Identification for Leafy Green I was sold and consumed that caused me much p Looks like Taro leaves. My grandmother said she used to eat the leaves boiled (when she was growing up in (China). Taros have calcium oxalate crystals in them and their structure is like little needles. You feel a burning/stinging sensation because the calcium oxalate are lodged inside you. I believe it's treated in the ER as an Anphalactic reaction.
Re: Need Identification for Leafy Green I was sold and consumed that caused me much p wow ! thanks.... i'll look it up immediately.... I knew there was something crazy about them.... I can't believe the guy just sold them to us... no warning.... and then no reaction when we told him we nearly died....
Re: Need Identification for Leafy Green I was sold and consumed that caused me much p If this is Colocasia esculenta - which exact species it is perhaps an important point - there is actually a number of uses for different parts of the plant by diverse peoples over a wide area. About the foliage Facciola, Cornucopia II - A Source Book of Edible Plants (1998, Kampong Publicatons, Vista) says Young leaves and leaf stalks are eaten as vegetables, called luau and aihaha, respectively, in Hawaii. In the Caribbean, they are added to callaloo. The leaves can also be stuffed like cabbage leaves. In India, they are stuffed with besan flour and spices in a dish called patra. Leaf stalks are also used for thickening soups or are boiled, cut into sections and served with a soy sauce dressing. And so on.
Re: Need Identification for Leafy Green I was sold and consumed that caused me much p Effects of ingestion of Calcium oxalate (Very present in Taro) Even a small dose of calcium oxalate is enough to cause intense sensations of burning in the mouth and throat, swelling, and choking. In larger doses, however, calcium oxalate causes severe digestive upset, breathing difficulties and — if enough is consumed — convulsions, coma and death. Recovery from severe oxalate poisoning is possible, but permanent liver and kidney damage may have occurred. The stalk of the Dieffenbachia produces the most severe reactions. These needle-like crystals produce pain and edema when they contact lips, tongue, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, or skin. Edema primarily is due to direct trauma from the needle-like crystals and, to a lesser extent, by other plant toxins (e.g. bradykinins, enzymes). If this is the case... then it borders on severe negligence to sell this in a shop without any kind of explanation.... we asked and were told nothing other than it is similar to spinach.... checking up on the other plant variety that was just mentioned now....
Re: Need Identification for Leafy Green I was sold and consumed that caused me much p Taro is a common name used for Colocasia esculenta.
Re: Need Identification for Leafy Green I was sold and consumed that caused me much p yeah found out as soon as i checked .... thanks.... is the need to boil it commonly known.. would it be expected knowledge for an average shopper... which i wouldn't consider myself...
Re: Need Identification for Leafy Green I was sold and consumed that caused me much p Well, in places where Taro is a staple crop it's widely known that both the leaves and roots need to be boiled before eating. Since the UK is not a Taro staple society, the guy who sold them to you probably assumed you knew you had to cook them before consumption.
