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Calidora Upright Elephant Ear Alocasia 'Calidora'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ah-loh-KAY-see-ah cal-i-DOR-ah
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

'Calidora' is a hybrid herbaceous perennial in the arum family (Araceae). It was bred by crossing Alocasia odora with Alocasia 'California.' The identity of A. 'California' is uncertain. It may be a cultivar of A. odora, or it may be a plant that was then known as A. gageana but is now known as Englerarum montanum. If A. 'California' is a cultivar of A. odora then A. 'Calidora' is also a cultivar of that species. If E. montanum was the parent, then 'Calidora' is an intergeneric hybrid. The hybrid was first made by Florida horticulturist LariAnn Garner.

'Calidora' or Calidora Upright Elephant Ear has very large, attractive, tropical-looking leaves. The plant will grow 5 to 9 feet tall in a vase-shaped habit. It has upright clusters of long stems and arrow-shaped, ribbed, bright green leaves that may become 6 feet long and 3 feet wide.

This plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight, fertile, moist, well-drained soil, warm temperatures, and high humidity. It thrives in temperatures between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and cold drafts and sudden temperature changes should be avoided. Fertilizing is recommended in the spring and summer months every 1 to 2 months. Hold the fertilizer and decrease watering the plant during the winter months. This plant is winter hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12. Outdoor plants will need to overwinter indoors in hardiness zones less than 10. In the spring, propagate by division of offsets. Repotting is recommended every 2 to 3 years. 

'Calidora' would be an interesting tropical accent to your home or garden. Exercise caution when small children or pets are nearby.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. Overwatering may cause root rot and leaf spots.

More information on Alocasia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#heat tolerant#houseplant#shade garden#showy leaves#large leaves#interesting leaves#deer resistant#spadix#herbaceous perennial#humidity tolerant#partial shade tolerant#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#tropical feel#tropical#container plant#poisonous if ingested
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#heat tolerant#houseplant#shade garden#showy leaves#large leaves#interesting leaves#deer resistant#spadix#herbaceous perennial#humidity tolerant#partial shade tolerant#HS302#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#tropical feel#tropical#container plant#poisonous if ingested
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Alocasia
    Family:
    Araceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Play Value:
    Colorful
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit-resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Flower Description:
    Flowers in this genus consist of a spadix and spathe. Houseplants rarely flower.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Huge glossy, upright, green arrow-shaped and ribbed leaves up to 6 feet long and 3 feet wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poisonous by ingestion, dermatitis, and eye injury. Symptoms may include painful irritation of lips, mouth, tongue, and throat after chewing; difficulty of speaking; nausea and diarrhea, vomiting, delirium, and death. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones, and hyperacidity should be especially cautious.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Calcium oxalate crystals
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems