Jurnal Biologi Tropis
Vol. 26 No. 2 (2026): April - Juni

Ethnobotany of the Teo Sweet Potato Plant (Tacca leontopetaloides) as an Alternative Food for the Bajo Tribe

Lambera, Walisa Ardita (Unknown)
Solang, Margaretha (Unknown)
Ahmad, Jusna (Unknown)
Lamanganjo, Chairunnisah J (Unknown)
Isra, Muhammad (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2026

Abstract

Teo yam (Tacca leontopetaloides) is a coastal local plant with potential as an alternative food source; however, its utilization is declining due to decreasing local knowledge among communities. This study aimed to examine the level of knowledge of the Bajo community regarding teo yam, traditional processing techniques, and its utilization as an alternative food source. The study was conducted from January to April 2026 in Bumi Bahari, Torosiaje Jaya, and Torosiaje Villages, Popayato Subdistrict, Pohuwato Regency, using a qualitative descriptive method with an ethnobotanical approach. Data were collected through observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation involving 60 informants selected through snowball sampling. The results showed that community knowledge varied by age group, with adults and the elderly demonstrating higher levels of knowledge than younger generations, indicating a decline in local knowledge transfer. Teo tubers are traditionally processed into flour through peeling, grating, soaking, settling, drying, and straining, before being used to prepare traditional foods such as cendol, loho bua, onde-onde, cucur, and ledo. The findings suggest that teo yam has potential as an alternative carbohydrate source while highlighting the importance of preserving local knowledge to sustain its utilization.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

JBT

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Immunology & microbiology

Description

Jurnal Biologi Tropis (ISSN Cetak 1411-9587 dan ISSN Online 2549-7863) diterbitkan mulai tahun 2000 dengan frekuensi 2 kali setahun oleh Program Studi Pendidikan Biologi PMIPA FKIP Universitas Mataram, berisi hasil penelitian dan ulasan Ilmiah dalam bidang Biologi ...