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Amazon Elephant's Ear Alocasia x mortfontanensis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Alocasia x amazonica
Phonetic Spelling
ah-loh-KAY-see-ah mort-fon-tah-NEN-siss
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Alocasia x mortfontanensis is a hybrid of A. longiloba × A. sanderi that was bred and described by French horticulturist M.M. Chantrier, of Mortefontaine, France. The epithet, mortfontanensis, means "originating from [the French commune] Mortefontaine."

This ornamental herbaceous perennial has large, smooth, thick, arrowhead-shaped, medium to dark green leaves. The silvery to lime-white veins are very prominent. Its flowers have a small, creamy-white, finger-like spadix that is surrounded by a light green spathe. As houseplants, they rarely flower. The plant size varies from 1 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.

This plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight, moist, and well-drained, fertile, loamy soil as well as warm temperatures and high humidity. Air temperatures should not drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Direct sunlight can scorch its leaves. It may be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors after the danger of the last spring frost has passed. Before the first frost of fall, the plant should be brought inside for overwintering, and watering should be reduced. It may be propagated by division of offsets.

This is a strikingly beautiful tropical plant has several popular cultivars, and they may be used as houseplants, container plantings, patio settings, or garden borders. All parts of this plant are toxic; therefore, exercise caution when small children or pets are nearby.

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

More information on Alocasia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bambino'
    dwarf, glossy, arrowhead-shaped, dark green leaves with bold light green or white veins
  • 'Ivory Coast'
    arrow-shaped, deep green leaves with silvery-green veins, stems become light pink at maturity
  • 'Polly'
    compact, up to 2 feet tall, large, dark green leaves with silvery-green veins
'Bambino', 'Ivory Coast', 'Polly'
Tags:
#poisonous#heat tolerant#houseplant#interiorscape#rabbit resistant#interesting leaves#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#rhizomatous#clumping#humidity tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#tropical feel#contact dermatitis#container plant#poisonous if ingested#partial shade
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bambino'
    dwarf, glossy, arrowhead-shaped, dark green leaves with bold light green or white veins
  • 'Ivory Coast'
    arrow-shaped, deep green leaves with silvery-green veins, stems become light pink at maturity
  • 'Polly'
    compact, up to 2 feet tall, large, dark green leaves with silvery-green veins
'Bambino', 'Ivory Coast', 'Polly'
Tags:
#poisonous#heat tolerant#houseplant#interiorscape#rabbit resistant#interesting leaves#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#rhizomatous#clumping#humidity tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#tropical feel#contact dermatitis#container plant#poisonous if ingested#partial shade
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Alocasia
    Species:
    × mortfontanensis
    Family:
    Araceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Play Value:
    Colorful
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all 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
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Flower Description:
    The blooms are small, creamy white, finger-like spadix and surrounded by a light green spathe. Houseplants rarely produce flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The ornamental leaves are large, smooth, thick, arrowhead-shaped of medium to dark green with very prominent silver to lime white veins. The undersides of the leaf are purple, and the margins are undulating or wavy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heat
    Humidity
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poisonous by ingestion, contact dermatitis, and eye injury. If ingested, mouth, lip, tongue, throat pain, difficulty speaking, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, delirium, and possible 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