Data specific to Elephant Ears (Colocasia) (Edit)
Plant habit: Running
Plant height: Tall (>40 inches)
Leaf base: Peltate
Leaf form: Flat
Leaf surface (top of leaf): Glossy
Leaf color (top of leaf): Deep green
Leaf main veins color (top of leaf): Purple
Petiole junction color (top of leaf): Purple
Petiole color: Purple
Blackish

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic
Plant Height: 4 to 8 feet (1.2-2.4m)
Plant Spread: 4 to 5 feet (1.2-1.5m)
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Flowers: Showy
Flower Time: Other: Seasonal
Underground structures: Tuber
Suitable Locations: Bog gardening
Uses: Water gardens
Will Naturalize
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Humidity tolerant
Toxicity: Other: All parts of plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, an irritant to the mouth and esophagus. Toxic to cats and dogs.
Propagation: Seeds: Other info: Remove seed from berry which contains chemicals that inhibit germination.
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Stolons and runners
Offsets
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Miscellaneous: Goes Dormant

Image
Common names
  • Black Stem Elephant Ear
  • Black Taro
  • Violet-Stemmed Taro
  • Elephant's Ear
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Colocasia fontanesii
  • Synonym: Colocasia antiquorum var. fontanesii
  • Synonym: Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum
  • Synonym: Colocasia esculenta var. fontanesii
Also sold as:
  • Colocasia antiquorum 'Fontanesii'
  • 'Black Stem'
  • Alocasia Nigrescens

Photo Gallery
Location: z6a MA, my garden
Date: 2014-08-01
Location: z6a MA, my garden
Location: z6a MA, my garden
Location: My garden near Lincoln UK
Date: 2008-08-26
I was surprised to see it produce a spathe!
Location: Summeville, SC
Location: z6a MA, my garden
Date: 2013-08-13
Too pooped to run.
Location: My garden near Lincoln UK
Date: 2008-08-26
A cold hardy Colocasia suitable for growing in the UK, given wint
Location: z6a MA
Date: 2013-11-04
Started to bloom just before bringing in for the winter.
Location: Stoutland, MO
Date: 2010-10-04
Fontanesii in bloom, first year.
Location: Stoutland, MO
Date: 2010-09-20
Location: Stoutland, MO
Date: 2010-09-20
Location: Kalama, Wa.
  • Uploaded by Joy

Photo courtesy of Longfield Gardens
  • Uploaded by Joy
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by JRsbugs (Near Lincoln UK) on Dec 17, 2011 8:59 AM concerning plant:
    I have tried more than one Colocasia including 'Illustris' and 'Black Magic', this is the only one remaining alive. Illustris grew well from a tiny tissue culture seedling to make a large tuber but with two cold summers and going dormant over winter it gave up the ghost when there was not enough warmth for it to regrow in spring, these conditions do not affect 'Fontanesii' the same. In the UK it is advisable to keep them in a pot and bring inside over winter, this one will keep growing a little even over winter inside at temperatures around 16C give or take a little so the problem of bringing it into growth again does not exist. I think it prefers to be outside in summer, this year I kept it in a greenhouse but it didn't thrive, so natural rain water might encourage good growth as it brings down nitrogen although 2011 in the UK was exceptionally rain free. I grow it in a mix of gritty 'river soil' and lots of leafy compost which most bulbs thrive in. Runners are sent out from the main tuber and if they have room will make new tubers, I now have three in a larger pot than it was in originally, the first time it made a runner the pot wasn't wide enough for it to take root so I lost the advantage of having the plant make a new tuber.
  • Posted by eclayne (Pioneer Valley south, MA, USA - Zone 6a) on Aug 22, 2014 9:12 AM concerning plant:
    Will grow happily in full sun to full shade here but performs better in full sun with constantly wet soil. C. fontanesii is a "Runner," sending out many stolons, so it's easy to increase your stock. Eventually you'll see a Flag Leaf appear and shortly thereafter your first inflorescence. This year I've had 4 in one floral sympodium, to date! These regularly reach 5 to 6 feet in height.
Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
My new colocasia bog by BruceDowell Dec 6, 2021 2:39 PM 2

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