Tannia is one of the first root crops used by human beings. Its history is associated to the Stone Age culture during the first development of pottery, shingles, and agriculture. The name Malanga says that it is originated from the island of Trinidad but is found in all the English speaking Lesser Antilles and in some southern states of the United States Of America.
There are basically two genres:
Colocasia and Xanthosoma of the Areceae family.

The Xanthosoma Genre:

The Carib and the Arrowark Indians cultivated it. Tannia is a good source of complex Carbohydrates, which is very good in the feeding of the frontal lobe because its energy is released slowly according to the needs of the brain and human body.
Babies and very old persons digest this food very easily.
It is a perennial crop, which means it produces and matures on a yearly basis. This plant is also used as an ornamental; in fact, there are many varieties in this Genre including the shiny leaf Malangita.
Some people believe it helps to improve sexual performance and skin beauty.