A large tropical plant with dark almost black stems and large leaves. Grown as an annual in colder hardiness zones.
Pronunciation
(kol-oh-KAY-see-uh)(es-kew-LEN-tuh)
Plant Type
All Plants, Perennial Tender
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Sunlight
full to part shade
Moisture
preferrs moist, easily wilts especially when root bound in the pot
Soil & Site
average, humusy
Flowers
a yellow spathe enclosing a yellow spadix
Leaves
2-3 feet, arrow shaped leaves, purplish green, dark purple almost black veins and leaf stem (petiole)
Stems
grows from a corm
Dimensions
5-6 feet high, 2-3 feet wide
Maintenance
pruning the bottom leaves that are dying, dig the corms after the first frost, clean and store cool and dry, check periodically to see if they are dehydrating, I soak them in a pail of water for a few minutes if this happens, smaller corms dry out quicker
Propagation
division
Misc Facts
The Elephant Ears are also called Taro. All parts of the Taro can cause sickness if not cooked before consumed. Sap can also irritate the skin.
Notes & Reference
#51-Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials (Alan Arimitage), Floridata web site),Rainyside Gardeners web site