Family: Araceae
Giant Taro, Giant Elephant Ear, Upright Elephant Ear, Pai
Origin: Tropical Asia
Alocasia macrorrhiza is similar to other large-leafed arums such as the Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Peltrandra spp., and Colocasia esculenta, often called Taro. Alocasia macrorrhiza differs from the others in having an upright stem and holding its leaves upright, and in several technical characteristics that mean a lot to the botanists. Numerous hybrids have been produced from among the various Elephant Ear species, and it’s not always possible to identify particular specimens.
It produced insignificant but fragrant white flowers on a sradix enclosed in a leaf-like, yellow-green spathe.
Giant taro is cultivated throughout the tropics for its edible rhizomes and shoots.
