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Alocasia macrorrhizos

(L.) G.Don (1839)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Monocots Order: Alismatales Family: Araceae Genus: Alocasia

‘ape [ape], elephant ear, elephant's-ear plant, giant taro, metallic taro

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Large herbs up to 5 m tall.

Stems: Stems erect, up to 1 m long and 20 cm in diameter.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades ovate–triangular, anterior lobe 25–120 cm long, 20–90 cm wide, posterior lobes 12–40 cm long, ¼–½ as long as anterior lobe. Margins entire to sinuous. Primary lateral veins 4–7 per side. Petioles 75–130 cm long, cataphylls persistent, 25–95 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences 2 to several together, subtended by bracts, peduncles 20–45 cm long; spathe whitish to yellowish, oblong, 13–35 cm long, 4–6 cm wide, constricted ca. 4 cm from base to form a tube up to 2 cm in diameter upper part deciduous or withering; spadix nearly as long as spathe, 11–32 cm long, pistillate portion 1–2.5 cm long, sterile staminate portion 0.5–2 cm long, fertile staminate portion 2–7 cm long, terminal appendage 7.5–21cm long. Flowers unisexual, naked. Calyx absent. Corolla (petals) absent. Staminate flowers comprising truncate synandria of 3–8 stamens. Ovary superior (pistillate flowers), 1-celled or sometimes 3–4-celled at apex; stigmas weakly 3-lobed; ovules few, basal.

Fruit: Berries scarlet; ovoid; 8–10 mm long; 5–8 mm in diameter. Seeds rather large; seed coat thickish; endosperm copious.

Ploidy: 2n = 26; 28; 42

Habitat: Cultivated and now naturalized in low elevation mesic valleys; primarily along streams or in other wet sites.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Corm used as a famine food (Abbott 1992:43).

  • The meat of the corm used to treat burns and broken skin. A liquid is made from the peeled stem that is used as a purgative for stomachaches. ‘Ape leaves used as a wrap to induce sweating for fever reduction (Abbott 1992:98). Specifically for ‘ape ‘ele‘ele, a treatment for ‘ako o ka puka ‘okole i ka mane‘o i ka naio (from pinworms), the flesh is combined with leaves of the ‘uhaloa (Waltheria indica), and green kukui nut flesh (Aleurites moluccana), and used as an ointment (Chun 1994:46).

CULTURE

  • ‘Ai no i ka ‘ape he mane‘o no ko ka nuku. He who eats the ‘ape is bound to have his mouth itch. He who indulges in some thing harmful will surely reap the result.

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: R.Sweet, Hort. Brit., ed. 3: 631 (1839)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1356 (K, O, Mo, M); Staples & Woolliams 1997:15 (KEY); Imada et al. 2000:10 (H); Staples & Herbst 2005:595, 598 (KEY), 599 (DESCR)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu: 1930 ualakaa st PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wilder, g.p. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 7/1/1935
2 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu: capitol grounds In shaded mixed border. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. collector number: 1225 Oahu BISH 9/25/1941
3 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Halawa In abandoned taro patches. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 12688 Molokai BISH 12/27/1932
4 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don koloa dist.; lawai valley, allerton gardens, lawai kai, "jungle gardens" area near coast Near coast. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lorence, d.h. flynn, t. collector number: 7459 Kauai BISH 5/16/1994
5 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don waipahu cultural gardens, 94-695 waipahu street In partial shade. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. cory, c. collector number: 2119 Oahu BISH 3/10/1986
6 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Honolulu: Palolo Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 1956.O Oahu BISH 10/22/1914
7 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Wailau Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 549.Mo Molokai BISH 9/1/1912
8 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Kualoa in gulch PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Brown, F.B.H. 1300 Oahu BISH 7/26/1924
9 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu: downtown; merchant st.; alexander & baldwin, near bdg PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. collector number: 1224 Oahu BISH 4/9/1941
10 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Mapulehu Valley Growing wild In rich soil near stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 8936 Molokai BISH 7/23/1928
11 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Hamakua District, Waipio Valley, ca. 2 miles into the valley Herb 4 ft. tall growing alongside the dirt road leading into the back of the valley in disturbed secondary forest; common. Leaves dark green, shiny, young leaves held upright. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Imada, C.T. Collector Number: 99-31 Hawaii BISH 6/19/1999
12 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don halawa In abandoned taro patches. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. et al. collector number: 12688 Molokai BISH 12/27/1932
13 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu: palolo valley; right fork PRESERVED_SPECIMEN garber, d.w. collector number: 507 Oahu BISH 8/1/1920
14 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu: kapalama; bishop museum campus, hale kini, beside the "tin building" Growing beneath the Cordia subcordata trees, in shady damp area. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN phillips, t. collector number: 3 Oahu BISH 7/11/1990
15 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Halawa In abandoned taro patches. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St.John, H. et al. Collector Number: 12688 Molokai BISH 12/27/1932
16 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don mapulehu valley, molokai, t.[sic] hawaii in rich soil near stream PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o.; nitta, k. 8936 CM 7/23/1928
17 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don W. Maui, Pohakupule Gulch. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H80311 Maui PTBG 8/15/2003
18 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don National Tropical Botanical Garden in Lawai Valley, McBryde Garden, Big Valley area, near Stillwater Dam, on west bank of Lawai Stream. Cultivated. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN David H. Lorence 10519 Kauai PTBG 7/9/2015
19 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don W. Maui, Pohakupule Gulch. In alien, shady forest. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hank Oppenheimer H80311 Maui PTBG 8/15/2003
20 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Limahuli Lower Preserve near waterfall. Wet forest, growing in a rocky area in the middle of Limahuli Stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Nicole Shores 50 Kauai PTBG 1/30/2012
21 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don manoa valley, woodland trail Shady bank PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. r. annable 3261 MIN 1/23/1997
22 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don larry quate residense, cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN * quate quate s.n. MO 9/10/1964
23 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau lau 2119 MO 3/10/1986
24 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don lawai valley, allerton garden, lawai kai, from "jungle garden" area near coast PRESERVED_SPECIMEN david h. lorence|timothy flynn lorence 7459 MO 5/16/1994
25 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don lawai valley, allerton garden, lawai kai, from "jungle garden" area near coast PRESERVED_SPECIMEN david h. lorence|timothy flynn lorence 7460 MO 5/16/1994
26 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Manoa Valley, Woodland Trail Forest of introduced taxa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN C. R. Annable 3261 NY 1/23/1997
27 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don o’ahu, oahu. tantalus. 2997 tantalus drive Disturbed, mesic forest on roadside. Associated with Coffea sp., Jacaranda sp., Manihot sp. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN g. j. ray 1003 NY 9/29/1997
28 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Punalau F.R. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D. R.; Ishikawa, S. 4095 Maui US 8/28/1974
29 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Mapulehu Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O.; Nitta, K. 8936 Kauai US 7/31/2028
30 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don haka`a`ano PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Molokai US
31 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don punalau f.r. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN d. r. herbst & s. ishikawa 4095 Molokai US 8/28/1974
32 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don mapulehu valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener & k. nitta 8936 Kauai US 7/31/1928
33 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Koloa Dist.; Lawai Valley, Allerton Gardens, Lawai Kai, "Jungle Gardens" area near coast Near coast. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. 7459 Kauai BISH 5/16/1994
34 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don head of kuliouou valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN o. degener 2477 WTU 12/11/1927
35 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Honolulu; Capitol grounds In shaded mixed border. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. 1225 Oahu BISH 9/25/1941
36 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Honolulu: Downtown; Merchant St.; Alexander & Baldwin, near bdg PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. 1224 Oahu BISH 4/9/1941
37 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu; waikane; waiahole ditch trail In bed of stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 25299 Oahu BISH 10/3/1954
38 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Koloa Dist.; Lawai Valley, Allerton Gardens, Lawai Kai, "Jungle Gardens" area near coast PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. 7460 Kauai BISH 5/16/1994
39 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Honolulu: Larry Quate residence PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Quate, L. s.n. Oahu BISH 9/10/1964
40 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don mapulehu valley, molokai, t. hawaii. In rich soil near stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, otto; nitta, kazuto 8936 CAS 7/10/1928
41 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Honolulu: Capitol grounds In shaded mixed border. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. 1225 Oahu BISH 9/25/1941
42 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Waipahu Cultural Gardens, 94-695 Waipahu Street In partial shade. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 2119 Oahu BISH 3/10/1986
43 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don koolau mts.; kipapa gulch, s ridge In stream bed. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hosaka, e.y. collector number: 1032 Oahu BISH 5/14/1933
44 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Laie: BYU campus Silty loam. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Afualo, D. 104 Oahu BISH 3/21/1975
45 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu: palolo valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 1956.o Oahu BISH 10/22/1914
46 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don wailau valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 549.mo Molokai BISH 9/1/1912
47 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu: larry quate residence PRESERVED_SPECIMEN quate, l. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 9/10/1964
48 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Morgan Toledo Taro Farm, Waipio Valley, Big Island, Hawaii Growing at back of property along road, in wet to well-drained, rocky condtions. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Crago, L.M. Imada, C.; Erickson, T.; Puttock, C. Collector Number: 2005-096 Hawaii BISH 3/19/2005
49 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Honolulu; Waikane; Waiahole Ditch Trail In bed of stream. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 25299 Oahu BISH 10/3/1954
50 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don laie: byu campus Silty loam. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN afualo, d. collector number: 104 Oahu BISH 3/21/1975
51 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu; waikane; waiahole ditch trail Outside, low lava rocks, covered w/ custose corallines in nook and crannies. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 25299 Hawaii BISH 10/3/1954
52 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Honolulu: Niu Valley; right fork PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Garber, D.W. 463 Oahu BISH 6/29/1920
53 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don mapulehu valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. nitta, k. collector number: 8936 Maui BISH 7/23/1928
54 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don hamakua district, waipio valley, ca. 2 miles into the valley Herb 4 ft. tall growing alongside the dirt road leading into the back of the valley in disturbed secondary forest; common. Leaves dark green, shiny, young leaves held upright. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN imada, c.t. collector number: 99-31 Hawaii BISH 6/19/1999
55 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu; capitol grounds Nr base of tree in ohia forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. collector number: 1225 Maui BISH 9/25/1941
56 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Morgan Toledo Taro Farm, Waipio Valley, Big Island, Hawaii Growing at back of property along road, in wet to well-drained, rocky condtions. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Crago, L.M. 2005-096 Hawaii BISH 3/19/2005
57 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu: niu valley; right fork Schinus.Scaevola taccada shrubland with Jacquermontia ovalifolia, Fimbristylis, Lipochaeta integrifolia, Sida fallax, Cassytha filiformis, Waltheria indica, Boerhavia, Cenchrus echinatus, Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, PRESERVED_SPECIMEN garber, d.w. collector number: 463 Hawaii BISH 6/29/1920
58 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don morgan toledo taro farm, waipio valley, big island, hawaii Growing at back of property along road, in wet to well-drained, rocky condtions. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN crago, l.m. imada, c.; erickson, t.; puttock, c. collector number: 2005-096 Hawaii BISH 3/19/2005
59 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don honolulu; waikane; waiahole ditch trail PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. collector number: 25299 Kauai BISH 10/3/1954
60 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Punalau Forest Reserve Wet shaded roadside. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 4095 Maui BISH 8/28/1974
61 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Koolaupoko distr., Waimanalo, Kakaina St. Forest of introduced taxa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN C. R. Annable 3261 Oahu HAPI 1/23/1997
62 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don koloa dist.; lawai valley, allerton gardens, lawai kai, "jungle gardens" area near coast PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lorence, d.h. flynn, t. collector number: 7460 Kauai BISH 5/16/1994
63 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Hamakua District, Waipio Valley, ca. 2 miles into the valley Herb 4 ft. tall growing alongside the dirt road leading into the back of the valley in disturbed secondary forest; common. Leaves dark green, shiny, young leaves held upright. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Imada, C.T. 99-31 Hawaii BISH 6/19/1999
64 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Koolau Mts.; Kipapa Gulch, S ridge In stream bed. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hosaka, E.Y. 1032 Oahu BISH 5/14/1933
65 Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G.Don Honolulu: Palolo Valley; right fork PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Garber, D.W. 507 Oahu BISH 8/1/1920
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