Le Mie Ricompense
English name:
Giant TaroLatin name:
Alocasia macrorrhizaAbout me:
My giant, bright green arrow-shaped leaves are the largest known un-split leaves in the world, reaching up to 2m in width in the wild!
Useful to know:
Origin
I come from rainforests across Southeast Asia.
Height/Growth
I can grow to 1.8m in height with leaves that reach 80cm in width!
Light
I like part shaded locations and dappled light.
Water
Let the top third of my soil dry before watering me and water less during the dormant period in autumn and winter.
Temperature
Room temperatures of 16-24°C are perfect.
Feeding
Please feed me diluted fertiliser once a month during the growing season.
Grooming
Give my glossy leaves a regular dusting with a wet cloth please.
Care
As all Alocasias, I can be prone to spider mites, especially during hot, dry weather so make sure you keep me misted.
Toxicity
I contain the toxin calcium oxalate, so please don't eat me raw.
Fact
I am a staple food for millions of people worldwide - my corm (a swollen stem) is a source of carbohydrate when peeled and boiled. My leaves and stems are rich in vitamins and can be eaten like vegetables but only when cooked - I'm poisonous in my raw state! If you want to try me, make sure you boil me for a prolonged time.
