To facilitate communication, encourage consistency in terminology and better understand the extent and diversity of root and tuber crop production and utilization worldwide, the following list contains the common names of these crops in 16 languages (based largely upon Kays and Silva Dias, 1996). The following languages are presented: Arabic; Chinese (Mandarin); Danish; Dutch; English; French; German; Hindi; Italian; Japanese; Korean; Malay; Portuguese; Russian; Spanish; Tagalog; and Thai, with each designated with an abbreviation preceeding the common names in that language (e.g., Jpn for Japanese).

When available, the most widely used common name is listed for each language and the English common name in bold is utilized for categories throughout the site. When more than one common name is listed for a given language, the secondary name(s) follows, separated by a comma. In some instances, several names may be comparable in the frequency of use; likewise, the order of names may differ among countries utilizing the same language. It is important to note that not all common names are listed; for example, Hung et al., (1992) lists 39 Chinese names for sweetpotato. Therefore, searching using alternative names may be required for some crops. Likewise, the most widely used English (or Espanola) common name is presented in bold and is used as the heading for the scientific literature for each crop.

Once the crop is located, common names in alternative languages, the part of the plant utilized for food (edible part – EP) and the method of preparation (P) are presented. When an additional part or parts of the plant has a secondary use, that part is designated with a superscript s (e.g. roots). The methods of preparation (P) have been separated into the following classes (R - raw, C - cooked, P - preserved). Preservation includes pickled, salted, jellied, or preserved by other methods, excluding canning and freezing. When more than one method of preparation is employed, they are presented in the general sequence of frequency of use.

When foreign names are used locally, they have been included [e.g. arracacha is the more frequently used common name in English for Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancroft]. Many of the crops do not have common names in one or more languages. Likewise, the presence of a name in a language does not necessarily indicate that the crop is grown in that country(s) where the language is spoken. Where appropriate, common names have been transliterated.

Using the Search Function

Individual crops can be located by typing the common or scientific name within the search box and clicking “search”. Not all common names are listed so alternative common names or synonyms for Latin binomials may need to be tried. The common name listed in bold should be used for finding research papers in the section on Scientific Literature.

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