Common Rootcrops of the Philippines

This is a list of common rootcrops in the Philippines to avoid confusion between these crops.


1. Balinghoy or Kamoteng kahoy
Manihot esculenta
English: Cassava
Introduced; Native to South America

2. Gabi
Colacasia esculenta
English: Taro
Native 🇵🇭

3. Kamote
Ipomoea batatas
English: Sweet Potato
Introduced; Native to Tropical America

Note: kamote is not the same with Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica)

4. Ube
Dioscorea alata
English: Purple Yam
Native 🇵🇭

Note: The genus Dioscorea has many cultivated species apart from the D. Alata

5. Singkamas
Pachyrizus erosus
English: Mexican Turnip
Introduced; Native to Tropical America

6. Patatas
Solanum Tuberosum
English: Potato
Introduced; Southern America


7. Paket
Unknown scientific name

Note: The locals said that it grows wildy in the mountains. It said to be similar to kamoteng kahoy or Cassava

8. Unknown local name
Xanthosoma Species
English: Elephant's ear plant
Inttoduced, from South America

Note: This plant is not cultivated widely in the Philippines. Some of the plants, grow wildy on some areas of the Philippines, and possibly mistaken as giant tarro.

9. Unknown/unverified Local name
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius
English: Elephant Foot yam
Native 🇵🇭

10. Unknown/unverified Local name
Alocasia macrorrhizus
Giant Tarro
Native 🇵🇭

Further readings