An Elephant Ears with glossy olive green leaves with dark purple veins. A perennial in zone 8 or more treated as a tender perennial in colder climates
Pronunciation
(kol-oh-KAY-see-uh)(es-kew-LEN-tuh)
Plant Type
All Plants, Bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizoms, etc.
Hardiness Zone
8-10
Sunlight
sun to part sun
Moisture
average moist
Soil & Site
average, moist
Leaves
large sagittal olive green leaves with dark purple veins
Stems
corms
Dimensions
up to 6 feet
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 of corm
Cultivar Origin
Colocasia 'Coffee Cups' was discovered in the wild by Indonesian botanist Gregory Hambali and brought to the US by aroid expert Alan Galloway (Plant Delights Nursery web site)
Notes & Reference
In parts of Florida the species plant has become an Exotic Invasive Pest. All parts of the Taro can cause sickness if not cooked before consumed. Sap can also irritate the skin.