Other common names
cunjevoi, giant elephant's ear, taro
Synonyms
Alocasia indica (Lour.) Spach misapplied
Conservatory Greenhouse
A tropical rhizomatous perennial grown for its huge, glossy mid-green leaves. The leaf blades have pale green veins and can reach 1.2m long; they are carried on erect leaf stalks to 1.2m tall. It may produce a pale green flower in summer. Giant taro is widely naturalised and cultivated in tropical areas as a food crop, although it requires a long cooking time before it is safe to eat. In cool climates it makes an interesting conservatory plant
Position
Partial shade
Soil Types
Loam, Sand
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres