Asian taro is an ornamental plant with large, upright, arrow-shaped leaves, grown indoors and in warm U.S. gardens. It resembles edible taro (Colocasia esculenta), but its sap and other parts can irritate the skin and mouth.
Appearance
Growth form
This evergreen perennial grows about 4–8 ft (1.2–2.4 m) tall in gardens.
Leaves
The glossy, bright green leaves are broad and arrow-shaped and often point upward.
Flowers
A pale, hoodlike surrounds the short flower spike.
Asian taro often holds its leaves upright, while taro leaves commonly droop. Leaf angle varies, so a photo may not be enough to identify either plant safely.
Why they get mixed up · Both are sold or described as elephant ears, so that name alone does not identify this species.
Both can have upright, arrow-shaped leaves. In a clear view of the leaf base, Asian taro has a closed notch where the two lower lobes meet; giant taro usually has an open notch in adult leaves.
Why they get mixed up · Both are large Alocasia plants grown for their leaves.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
Warm gardens
Indoor pots
Range
It is native to eastern and southeastern Asia. In the United States, it is cultivated in warm areas such as Florida.
Cautions
Cautions
The plant contains crystals that can irritate the mouth and skin. It is a different species from taro (Colocasia esculenta), the crop grown for food.