Elephant Ears
Year Introduced: 2012
Heredity: Hybrid
History: Royal Hawaiian series Colocasia developed as part of a breeding program headed by John J. Cho at the University of Hawaii, Kula. Out of respect for native beliefs about taro only non-Hawaiian cultivars are used.
Country of Origin: USA
Hybridizer or Originator: John J. Cho

Data specific to Elephant Ears (Colocasia) (Edit)
Plant habit: Clumping
Plant height: Medium (20-40 inches)
Tall (>40 inches)
Leaf base: Peltate
Leaf form: Wavy
Leaf surface (top of leaf): Glossy
Leaf color (top of leaf): Blackish
Leaf main veins color (top of leaf): Purple
Other: initially blue changing to purple
Petiole junction color (top of leaf): Purple
Petiole color: 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
Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 7b -15 °C (5 °F) to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
Plant Height: 3 to 4 feet (.9-1.2m)
Plant Spread: 30 to 36 inches (75-90 cm)
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: Patent/Plant Breeders' Rights: PP23,896 (2013)
Goes Dormant
Parentage: 2002-202 x Diamond Head
Child plants: one child plant

Image
Trade name information:
Series: Royal Hawaiian®
Trade Name: Black Coral
Cultivar name: 'Black Coral'
Common names
  • Taro
  • Elephant Ear
  • Elephant's Ear

Photo Gallery
Location: My backyard.
Date: 2015-10-15
Location: backyard 
Date: 2015-07-17
Location: z6a MA, My Garden
Date: 2012-07-19
Very glossy black leaf. Blue veining is more subtle than it appea
Location: z6a MA, my garden
Date: 2013-09-12
Depending on light angle can appear from deep black to coffee bro
Location: Gardenfish garden 
Date: July 15 2021
Location: My backyard.
Date: 2015-09-29
Location: z6a MA, My Garden
Date: 2012-10-07
Black Coral
Location: Beautiful Tennessee, Ooltewah Nursery
Date: 7-21-2017
enlarge, looks like silver foil overlay
Location: Naples, FL
Date: 2016-10-11
At the Naples Zoo
Location: z6a MA, My Garden
Date: 2012-09-12
Newly emerged leaf in sun. Turns glossy black in 3 to 4 days.
Location: Lutz, FL
Date: 2016-03-21
At Hollie's Farm and Garden
Location: Austin ,TX
Date: 2016-06-10
Location: backyard 
Date: 2015-07-31
Photo by Swayback
Location: Naples, FL
Date: 2016-10-11
At the Naples Zoo
Location: Lutz, FL
Date: 2016-03-21
At Hollie's Farm and Garden
This plant is tagged in:
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Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Great growing by eclayne Jul 18, 2015 7:50 AM 0

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