The large leaves of the Colocasia esculenta resemble elephant ears. A giant clump of immense leaves as long as two feet bring the drama of the tropics to the Virginia Garden.

Colocasia esculenta known by its common name of elephant ears is a returning perennial in zones 8B and 9 and is nearly an evergreen perennial in tropical climates. Elsewhere the taro plant is an annual.

Colocasia esculenta is a herbaceous plant with a thick tuber containing much starch and cultivated for food for many centuries. Early migrating Polynesians brought the taro to Hawaii as the main food source. Cooking the leaves destroys the acrid crystals of calcium oxalate found in all parts of the plant.

This plant is spectacular!