James H. Schutte
Family
Araceae
Botanical Name
COLOCASIA 'Jet Black Wonder'
Plant Common Name
Elephant Ear, Jet Black Wonder Taro, Taro
General Description
Grown by gardeners solely for the exotic look and huge size of its leaves, taro is a tropical perennial. This selection, ‘Jet Black Wonder,’ has leaves that are quilted, slightly ruffled and so dark that naming their color is tricky. They are not black but a shade of deep, smoky purple. The plant grows from a large tuber-like corm (an energy-storing underground stem). The leaves rise directly from the tuber on tall, thick, arching petioles (leaf stems) that are dark purple too. The leaves pose with their tips pointing downward and their topsides facing outward. Their underside is silvery. During the growing season, the plant may flower, but not showily.
Grow ‘Jet Black Wonder’ in full sun to partial sun and moist organic-rich soil. In cold zones, or where it is marginally hardy, dig the tubers in the fall, and store them in a dry, frost-free location for the winter. In temperate climates, it can also be grown as a houseplant. Taro can be easily grown in a container if the soil is kept moist. In tropical gardens, it prefers a shady site. It grows readily in the shallow areas of water gardens.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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USDA Hardiness Zone
11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 7, 8, 9, 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
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
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Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Ample Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Light Yellow, Gray
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Fruit Color
Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Purple, Dark Red, Silver, Gray
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Purple, Dark Red, Silver, Gray
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Purple, Dark Red, Silver, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
Yes
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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
No
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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
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
