Excised lateral buds of taro [Colocasia esculentar var. esculenta (L.) A.F. Hill] developed into plantlets and formed callus if cultured on media containing taro extract. .alpha.-Naphthaleneacetic acid enhanced the process but only if taro extract was also present. The tissue requirements for this variety of taro are different from those of Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum (L.) A.F. Hill.