14 Jan Elephants ears, Taro
Colocasia esculenta
Plants such as these with fleshy tuberous rhizomes,
when established in moist areas become extremely
heavy and difficult to remove. Do not let them
establish outside of gardens.
Family: Araceae
Origin: S.E. Asia,
Hawaii, and the
Pacific Islands
Habit: Erect, rhizomatous tuberous, evergreen perennial herb to
1.5m high.
Leaves: Heart shaped, dark green leaves to 60cm long prominently
veined. Stem & leaf colour varies depending on variety of plant.
Flowers: Pale Yellow spike enclosed by a greenish yellow hood like spathe.
Flowers Winter-Summer.
Fruit: Small berry, green or yellow maturing to orange 5-10mm long
containing about 4 yellow-brown seeds.
Roots: Fleshy tuberous rhizome.
Dispersal: Roots, tubers and Seed is spread by water, humans,
contaminated soil (earthmoving equipment, car tyres etc) and
garden refuse dumping.
Control: Hand pull/dig, bagging all plant parts and removing from site.
Foliar spray, Cut and Paint.
