DESCRIPTION: This group consists of six tender, tuberous-rooted perennials, commonly known as Elephant Ears. Elephant Ears are natives of tropical countries and are grown for their beautiful, large leaves. They are suitable for growing in containers, borders, and also bog gardens because they tolerate wet soil, even standing water. The handsome, large leaves of these plants grow atop 3- to 7-foot stems and can reach a length of 2 or 3 feet themselves. The leaves are held perpendicular to the stem (called a peltate leaf - see dictionary), so that they face outward and point to the ground; thus their beauty is completely seen. C. esculenta (Taro Root; Dasheen) has heart- to arrow-shaped, smooth green leaves. This species has been grown for over a thousand years for its edible tubers, which are a staple in the diet of people from India to the South Pacific. The Taro roots were boiled and eaten and the tender leaves were cooked as greens. However, they are poisonous if not prepared correctly. Even though the leaves of C. esculenta are a deep green, there are several varieties with variegated foliage and stems. Variety 'Fontanesia' produces green leaves on very dark purple petioles (leaf stalks). Variety 'Black Magic' is a gorgeous plant with such dark plum leaves they appear black. The leaves grow on dark burgundy-black stems.
VARIETIES: C. esculenta & var. Fontanesia, Black Magic, rubra; C. antiquorum.
Colocasia is a genus of 25 or more species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical Polynesia and southeastern Asia. Common names include Elephant-ear, Taro, Cocoyam, Dasheen, and Eddoe. Elephant-ear and Cocoyam are also used for some other large-leaved genera in the Araceae, notably Xanthosoma and Caladium. The generic name is derived from the Greek word for Nelumbo nucifera, κολοκασιον (kolokasion).
They are herbaceous perennial plants with a large rhizome on or just below the ground surface. The leaves are large to very large, 20–150 cm (7.9–59 in) long, with a sagittate shape. The elephant's-ear plant gets its name from the leaves, which are shaped like a large ear or shield.
{[http://www.botany.com/colocasia.html]}
{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colocasia]}
VARIETIES: C. esculenta & var. Fontanesia, Black Magic, rubra; C. antiquorum.
Colocasia is a genus of 25 or more species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical Polynesia and southeastern Asia. Common names include Elephant-ear, Taro, Cocoyam, Dasheen, and Eddoe. Elephant-ear and Cocoyam are also used for some other large-leaved genera in the Araceae, notably Xanthosoma and Caladium. The generic name is derived from the Greek word for Nelumbo nucifera, κολοκασιον (kolokasion).
They are herbaceous perennial plants with a large rhizome on or just below the ground surface. The leaves are large to very large, 20–150 cm (7.9–59 in) long, with a sagittate shape. The elephant's-ear plant gets its name from the leaves, which are shaped like a large ear or shield.
{[http://www.botany.com/colocasia.html]}
{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colocasia]}
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