PlantFiles: Alocasia
Alocasia zebrina 'Reticulata'

ALOCASIA - Elephant's Ear
There are some 70 species of large-leafed rhizomatous and tuberous perennials in this genus from tropical southern and Southeast Asia. They have heart-shaped to arrowhead-shaped leaves from 8"-36" long depending on the species. The leaves are often long-stemmed with distinctive red or purple markings. The long-stemmed arum-like flowers, often obscured by the foliage, are not very showy. Closely related to taro (Colocasia), the roots of some species are edible, but most contain poisonous crystals which cause numbing and swelling of the tongue and throat.
CULTIVATION:
Most species are totally intolerant of frost and do best when grown in a warm, humid climate with moist, humus-rich soil and ample feeding. They thrive in the close atmosphere of a warm greenhouse. Propagate from seed, stem cuttings with a leaf bud or by dividing or cutting the rhizomes.