Starchy roots are a type of edible root vegetable that are high in carbohydrates and are often used as a staple food in many cultures. The two most common starchy roots are yams (4 letters) and taros (5 letters). Yams are a tuberous root vegetable native to Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, while taros are a root vegetable native to East Asia. Both yams and taros are widely used in cooking and can be boiled, mashed, or fried.