Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Araceae
Botanical Name
ALOCASIA x amazonica
Plant Common Name
African Mask, Amazon Taro, Elephant Ear
General Description
What an amazing Amazon beauty! The arrowhead-shaped leaves of Amazon taro are deepest metallic green with skeletal whitish leaf veins and wavy or incised margins. This vigorous tropical hybrid elephant ear is a cross between Alocasia watsonia and
A. sanderiana. During the growing season, greenish white spathe and spadex flowers appear but are generally overshadowed by foliage.
Amazon taro prefers full to moderate shade and 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 foliage plants to accentuate the architectural leaves of this taro.
There are potential health concerns regarding this plant. To learn more go to http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Alocasp.htm
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White
-
Fruit Color
Red
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Lime Green, Dark Green, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Lime Green, Dark Green, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Lime Green, Dark Green, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Lime Green, Dark Green, Bronze
-
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
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Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No