Colocasia esculenta 'Hilo Bay'

Family

Araceae

Botanical Name

Colocasia esculenta 'Hilo Bay'( ROYAL HAWAIIAN® SERIES) PP20108

Plant Common Name

Elephant Ear, Taro

General Description

The large, glossy, olive green leaves of ‘Hilo Bay’ have a distinctly wavy, corrugated surface texture and are supported by dark purple petioles (leaf stems). This cultivar was bred by John Cho at the University of Hawaii Plant Breeding Program and also boasts increased hardiness and disease-resistance in addition to a tidier, runner-free habit.

A large, tuberous perennial native to tropical Asia, taro (kalo in Hawaiian) is grown for its huge, heart-shaped leaves that add drama to the landscape. It originates from India and tropical Asia, Colocasia esculenta where it is better known for its edible, starchy, bulb-like corms. In fact, it is considered one of the first plants cultivated by humans for food and is now naturalized throughout most of the subtropical and tropical regions of the world.

Also called elephant year, Colocasia esculenta produces huge arrow-shaped leaves held on tall leaf stems that arise directly from the corm. The leaf stem attaches to the leaf centrally. This stem attachment is known as “peltate” and is one of the characteristics used to identify Colocasia species. The similar looking leaves of Alocasia and Xanthosoma have leaf stems that attach along the edge of the leaf. Taro flowers are often hidden by the foliage, but the fragrant, calla lily-like flowers are creamy-yellow and appear sporadically in summer. The flowers are occasionally followed by columns of red or orange berry like fruits.

Colocasia prefers full to moderate shade but will also grow in full sun if provided sufficient moisture. It requires moist, organic-rich soil and will even tolerate fully saturated soils, though it does not favor stagnant soil. Evergreen in mild climates, taro is winter-dormant in its coldest hardiness zones and will die back to a starchy corm. Grow taro outdoors in a fertile moist bed, pond side garden or large container. It is easily grown as a tender perennial. Its large corms can be dug and stored in a cool dry place to over winter or container-grown specimens can be brought indoors. There are many colorful cultivated varieties to choose from and all are easy to grow.

Though used as a food source in many parts of the world, caution should be taken when preparing taro for consumption. There may be health concerns with the consumption of this plant. For more information see http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/PoisPlant/Tox-SCI.htm Colocasia esculenta has escaped cultivation in some parts of the world and is considered an invasive weed in places like Hawaii and Florida. For more information about the invasiveness of this species see the reference, the Global Compendium of Weeds at http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/colocasia_esculenta/