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ALOCASIA x amazonica 'Polly'

Image of Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly'

Carol Cloud Bailey

Family

Araceae

Botanical Name

ALOCASIA x amazonica 'Polly'

Plant Common Name

Amazon Taro, Polly African Mask, Polly Taro

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

With a more compact form and strudier foliage, Polly African mask has dark leaves with curvaceous edges and silvery veins. It is a frost tender tropical hybrid elephant ear parented by Alocasia watsonia and A. sanderiana. Loved for its large glossy, leathery, and green-black arrowhead leaves, the two pointed lobes and the wavy edges make 'Polly' look like an exotic African tribal mask. These edges are accentuated with a silvery pale green outline and midrib. During the growing season spathe flowers do appear but are generally overshadowed by foliage.

Place 'Polly' in full to moderate shade with protection from scorching sun rays. It requires moist organic-rich soil, with enough drainage to allow fresh water to pass through. Use indoors as a houseplant in temperate zones or set out in a shady garden site in a tropical garden among shade-loving annuals or fine-textured ferns and to accentuate the architectural leaves.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Shade, Full Shade

  • Height

    16"-24" / 40.6cm - 61.0cm

  • Width

    18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green, Silver, Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated, Striped/Striated

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green, Silver, Black

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated, Striped/Striated

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green, Silver, Black

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated, Striped/Striated

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green, Bronze, Silver, Black

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated, Striped/Striated

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    Yes

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Bold

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No