08/26/2023
DO NOT EAT.... Colocasia Esculenta, commonly called taro or elephant ear, is a tuberous, stemless, frost tender, perennial of the arum family which typically grows 3-6' tall and as wide.
It's primarily grown as a foliage plant with huge heart-shaped to Arrowhead shapes conspicuously veined downward pointing peltate (to 2"long) leaves on Long Stout succulent stems. As the common name suggests each leaf resembles an elephant ear. The green leaf species are not edible.
Best grown in fertile organically Rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade is appreciated in climates with hot summers. When growing plants in gardens soils, provide regular moisture especially during dry summer. And do not allow soils to dry out. Plants may also be grown as a pond marginal in up to six feet of standing water.
Type; Bulb
Family; Araceae
Native range; tropical Eastern Asia
Height; 3 ft to 6 ft
Spread; 3 ft to 6 ft
Sun; full sun to part shade
Water; medium to wet
Maintenance; medium
Suggested use; annual, rain garden
Flower; insignificant
Tolerate; wet soil
Not to be mistaken with the air type with yellowish white spas and Hispanics are infrequently produced and usually hidden by the foliage when they do occur. This species is also common commercially grown as a food in Hawaii (POI is made from the tubers) where it's commonly called taro.
There are no serious insect or disease problems
Uses
When's a large tropical look to mix borders, rain gardens, water margins and large containers can be used as a water plant excellent as a specimen or in groups.
