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Alocasia(al - lo - KAY - ezed - uh ) , commonly called Elephant Ears , is a popular cosmetic plant life for home and garden options . All - in - all , closely 80 Alocasia species are hailing from :

There are also a great many hybrids and crossbreed available of these tropical plants .

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Alocasia varieties – Cuprea (left), Amazonica (African Mask Plant), Baginda – Silver Dragon (right)

Alocasia Plants Answer to the Name “Elephant’s Ear”

AllAlocasia varietiesare commonly called Elephant ’s Ear because of the anatomy of the often tremendously large leaves . However , you will also find that some of the other common names tie in with this plant are standardised from species to species .

elephant’s ear are fellow member of theAraceae(aka aroid or aroid ) family of plant . They are herbaceous perennials , winter hardy in USDA hardiness zone 8B through 11 .

Growing Details on Alocasia Plants

In their native options , the tubers of some Alocasia are an important food author . The leaves of some type are also edible but must be properly cooked to neutralize the toxic atomic number 20 oxalate crystals they contain . No matter what kind of Alocasia you have , keep it out of the grasp of kids , pets , and livestock .

In cooler mood , Alocasia can be planted in the landscape as yearly . Otherwise , they are lovely in an above - earth planter or as container plants in domain where they will not survive the wintertime .

If well - controlled , these sharply spreading plants may be imbed and naturalized or used as a groundcover in areas where they will survive winter .

Alocasia varieties - Cuprea, Amazonica, Baginda - Silver Dragon

Alocasia varieties – Cuprea (left), Amazonica (African Mask Plant), Baginda – Silver Dragon (right)

There are many dissimilar sizing and colors to pick out from among Alocasia species . big plant make stunning focal detail and convey a strong tropical statement to any landscape .

little smorgasbord can be planted en masse shot as a ground cover or as butt against surrounding a patio or along a border base on balls .

folio sizes rove from small narrow-minded leaves to large leaves 3′ understructure across .

exotic leaves of Alocasia Amazonica

Alocasia Varieties With Brief Descriptions

Below are 20 + of the most frequently sought - after species , variety show , and type of Alocasia to grow and collect .

Alocasia Amazonica

The popular Alocasia Amazonica is a cross between two Asiatic specie – Alocasia longilobaxAlocasia sanderiana . The hybrid name comes from the nursery – Amazon Nursery – where the crossbreed was made back in the 1950s .

More onGrowing Alocasia Amazonica plant

Alocasia Frydek (Green Velvet Alocasia)

item onAlocasia Frydek Growing and Care

Alocasia Silver Dragon – Alocasia Baginda or African Gray Mask

Alocasia Zebrina – Alocasia Reticulata or Alocasia Tiger, Zebra or Leopard

hint on Alocasia Zebrina Care

Alocasia Odora – Giant Upright Elephant Ear, Asian Taro, Night-Scented Lily

Alocasia Black Velvet – Alocasia Reginula, Queen Alocasia, The Little Queen, Jewel Alocasia

Alocasia Regal Shield

larn Alocasia Regal Shield

Alocasia Dragon Scale – Dragon Elephant Ear

Alocasia Lauterbachiana – Baroque Sword

The plants ’ more descriptive uncouth name is Purple Sword , inspired by its purple / green , spear - determine leaves . You may also hear it referred to as Baroque or Silver Sword or as Elephant Ear Lauterbachiana .

Alocasia Calidora – Persian Palm

Alocasia ‘Stingray’ – Stingray

Alocasia Cuprea – Alocasia Maharani or Red Secret

Growing and Care of Alocasia Cuprea

Alocasia Dark Star

Dark Star is a intercrossed crossbreed of four Alocasia varieties . It has been bred to be cold tolerant and large in sizing . [ source ]

Alocasia Ivory Coast

Alocasia Polly – Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly’

This plant is a hybrid cross between two or possibly three other type of Alocasia .

Tips on Alocasia Polly Care

Alocasia Tiny Dancer

Alocasia Tiny Dancer has been called the “ Most Unusual Aroid ” by the International Aroid Society . Its small size and unique ontogenesis habits make the reason for this eminence quite clear .

Alocasia cucullata – Chinese Taro – Hooded Dwarf

Its rhizomes are an important nutrient rootage in its native surround ( tropic and temperate areas of Asia ) . However , in other tropical and temperate regions , it is mostly considered invasive .

Alocasia Wentii

Alocasia Wentii is a hybrid cross between Alocasia Gageana and Alocasia Odora . It is often referred to as Hardy Elephant Ear , Purple Umbrella , or New Guinea Shield .

Alocasia Pink Dragon

Alocasia Portora

Portora is called by a variety of names :

Alocasia Low Rider – dwarf version of Alocasia Portora

Alocasia Macrorrhiza

Alocasia Macrorrhiza Growing and Care Tips

Alocasia Sarian

Alocasia Chantrieri – Metallica x Sanderiana

Other Less Available Alocasia Varieties

These varieties of Alocasia are found at more specialty growers and collector .

velvety leaves of Alocasia Frydek (Micholitziana)

Alocasia baginda aka Silver Dragon Alocasia

Striped leaves of Alocasia Zebrina

Alocasia regal shield growing in the landscape (Kennedy Space Center)

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Potted Alocasia cuprea

Woman holding Alocasia Polly

Alocasia macrorrhiza growing in landscape at Disney World, Hollywood Studios, Orlando Florida