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

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
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 7b -15 °C (5 °F) to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
Plant Height: 4 to 6 feet (1.2-1.8 m)
Plant Spread: 4 to 6 feet (1.2-1.8 m)
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Flower Time: Other: Seasonal
Underground structures: Tuber
Suitable Locations: Bog gardening
Uses: Will Naturalize
Eating Methods: Cooked
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
Parentage: Probable sport of: Black Magic

Image
Common names
  • Elephant Ear
  • Elephant's Ear
  • Taro
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Colocasia esculenta
  • Synonym: Colocasia antiquorum
Also sold as:
  • Black Ruffles

Photo Gallery
Location: home garden VA
Date: 2020-09-27
Elephants Ears Colocasia ‘Black Runner’
Location: Front Garden, Maryland Zone 7a
Date: 9/12/2014
Elephant Ear Black Runner--oh, yes!
Location: My backyard.
Date: 2015-10-15
Tiny, I guess they needed more light
Location: Swayback's Kentucky Jungle
Location: Swayback's Kentucky Jungle
All mature leaves
Photo by skylark
Photo by skylark
Photo by skylark
Photo by skylark
Location: Summeville, SC
Photo by skylark
Photo by skylark
Location: Swayback's Kentucky Jungle
Pic shows numerous runners
Location: Swayback's Kentucky Jungle
Newly emerged blue-green leaf
Location: Swayback's Kentucky Jungle
Photo doesn't do this plant justice, leaf color is spectacular!
Location: Hidden Hills CA zone 10b
Date: 2013-06-04
Photo by skylark
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by Irrelephant (Arkansas - Zone 8a) on May 25, 2013 1:36 AM concerning plant:
    Darkness of leaves is directly proportional to how much light they get. The brighter and longer the light, the darker the leaf. Usually will fail to become very dark indoors. If in a pot, will still propagate by adventitious roots in the pot. This plant will usually crowd itself in a pot in less than one growing season.
  • Posted by Xeramtheum (Summerville, SC - Zone 8a) on Apr 26, 2013 8:46 AM concerning plant:
    Black Runner lives up to its name when planted in the ground. It will send out runners everywhere and could become quickly invasive. I have never seen this happen when grown in pots.
  • Posted by Swayback (Kentucky 😔 - Zone 6a) on Aug 6, 2013 12:11 PM concerning plant:
    This plant, Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta 'Black Runner'), and are the same plant!
    They have ruffled leaves, and spread vigorously by way of runners (stolons).

    It's my understanding that this is a hybrid of C. Black Magic X C. Green Ruffle
Plant Events from our members
lovesblooms On May 27, 2015 Plant emerged
lovesblooms On May 2, 2015 Transplanted
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