Colocasia esculenta
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Zantedeschia virosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- kol-oh-KAY-see-uh es-kew-LEN-tuh
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Taro, or elephant ear, is a tender herbaceous perennial in the Araceae (arum) family with a clumping growth habit. Native to eastern Asia, it grows from a corm. This corm provides a staple food worldwide, sometimes known as the “potato” of the tropical world. The species name esculenta derives from the Latin for edible, or good to eat.
The plant grows best in part shade or filtered sun and moist, rich soil. It should not be allowed to dry out and should be protected from strong winds. The plant may spread and be divided much like other perennials with storage organs.
Taro is not known for its flowers. It is more widely known for its very large and sometimes ornately colored foliage, which adds a smooth texture to the landscape.
This plant gives a tropical look in warm planting zones at the edge of the understory of a tree or in a border. It may also be grown as a specimen plant. It can also be grown as a houseplant. Alternatively, it could be used as a potted plant outside during warmer months and brought indoors for cooler months.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Tropical Look Garden Containers at Pitt County Arboretum
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Black Coral'
Deep Black/Purple foliage with large fleshy leaves - 'Black Magic'
unusual purplish-black leaves - 'Fontanesia'
- 'Hilo Bay'
Both deep green and lighter green leaves. Dark purple stalk color. - 'Illustris'
- 'Mojita'
light green leaves with bluish purple speckles - 'Rhubarb'
Pleasant green foliage with red-pink stems
- 'Black Coral'
- 'Black Coral', 'Black Magic', 'Fontanesia', 'Hilo Bay', 'Illustris', 'Mojita', 'Rhubarb'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Coral'
Deep Black/Purple foliage with large fleshy leaves - 'Black Magic'
unusual purplish-black leaves - 'Fontanesia'
- 'Hilo Bay'
Both deep green and lighter green leaves. Dark purple stalk color. - 'Illustris'
- 'Mojita'
light green leaves with bluish purple speckles - 'Rhubarb'
Pleasant green foliage with red-pink stems
- 'Black Coral'
- 'Black Coral', 'Black Magic', 'Fontanesia', 'Hilo Bay', 'Illustris', 'Mojita', 'Rhubarb'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Colocasia
- Species:
- esculenta
- Family:
- Araceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Traditionally used medicinally for the treatment of digestive disorders.
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- India to Southern China and Sumatera
- Bulb Storage:
- Corm
- Edibility:
- Poisonous until cooked. Poisons neutralized by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water. Taro root used in Southeastern Asian cuisine. Use salted water and boil for at least one hour. They are rich in vitamins A and C and they have more protein, phosphorus and calcium than a regular potato. Their starch is easily digested so it is often used in infant formulas as a first baby food.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Water Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Description:
- Rarely flowers. White or yellow spadix with a greenish or yellow spathe.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Peltate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are very large (up to 3 ft.). They are heart-shaped to arrow-shaped with prominent veins. The apex is obtuse while the base is somewhere between cordate and auriculate. The petiole comes out from the center of the leaf. There is a wide variety of colors and patterns.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing can result from eating parts of this plant. Causes an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue. All parts of the plant are poisonous unless cooked first.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Calcium oxalate crystals
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
