James H. Schutte
Family
Araceae
Botanical Name
Colocasia esculenta
Plant Common Name
Elephant Ear, Taro
General Description
A large, perennial native to India and tropical Asia, taro is grown for its starchy, edible, bulb-like corms and huge heart-shaped leaves that add drama to the landscape. 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/
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun
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Height
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Width
2'-6' / 0.6m - 1.8m
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Eastern Asia, India
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water, Ample Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White, Yellow
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Fruit Color
Red, Orange
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green, Violet
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Herb / Vegetable, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical, Water Gardens
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
Yes
