The Voynich elephant

[Searcher]

Koen:
The main function of taro's root is that is provides food. This root is roundish and has several thin, long roots coming out of it. I would really love this to be Taro, but so far I'm not convinced :/
The Voynich plant's roots are long, relatively thick, look fibrous and have been painted blue. This does lend some support to Diane's idea that this plant was used to dye fabrics. Some of the roots even look like they end in fringes like some kind of scarf or carpet.
I haven't been able to find any plant like that yet though.

By the way - roots in the VM are very often entirely symbolical, giving a hint about the use or name of the plant instead of representing a botanically relevant structure.

If that is the case, it is possible that fibres gained from this plant are suitable to be dyed before being woven into baskets or what have you. In that case it would be sufficient to find a plant (palm?) with leaves like this which was especially useful as a source of fibres.

Anyway, the earliest image of Colocasia I've found is from the Ecphrasis minus cognitarum stirpium, vol. 2: p. 0 (1616) The whole gallery of Colocasia images is You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. Possibly, the name "Elephant's ears" came from Persian "Gush-e fil", but I can't find any information how much old this Persian name is, all searching queries lead to the doughnuts with the same name.   You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., where the name "gush-e fil" is mentioned, refers to Avicenna's "Canon of medicine", but all the rest sources say only about "qulqas". 
I think it must be kept in mind, maybe, someone will find more information. 



Another possible variant is You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., if exactly this plant is called herba Elephans You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.. Its roots are probably closer to the roots of the VMs Elephant-plant, but leaves - less. Actually, I've found only this one book with this name and it is printed in 1610.
Quote:
" In many parts of its range it is grown as a salad crop or as a medicinal herb. The tender shoots and leaves are eaten raw or cooked. In Nepal, juice from the roots is used for treating indigestion and applied to the skin to treat wounds and skin diseases."



So, as always, food for thought.