img

Xanthosoma robustum

Schott (1853)

This name is accepted

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

‘ape [ape], elephant ear, elephant's ear

img

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

img

Uses and Culture

USES

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: Oesterr. Bot. Wochenbl. 3: 370 (1853)

Other References

Staples & Woolliams 1997:13 (NEWNAT/K, O [as X. roseum], KEY); Imada et al. 2000:10 (H); Oppenheimer & Bartlett 2000:2 (EM, WM); Herbst et al. 2004:3 (Syn. X. roseum = X. robustum); Staples & Herbst 2005:613 (DESCR); Oppenheimer 2019:3 (Mo)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Xanthosoma robustum Waimea Falls Park Along river bank. Preserved_Specimen Herb forming clumps 7-8' tall & as broad; trunk to 1 m long, decumbent in mature plants; lvs arching, tip downward pointing, midvein of basal lobes exposed, many offsets around base; peti base u-shaped in cross-section; spathe tube open, 9 long, creamy white, spathe base greenish-white, 5, pink at constriction; spadix creamy white. Waimea Arboretum Staff Oahu BISH 1995-11-02
2 Xanthosoma robustum Honolulu: 1930 Ualakaa St Preserved_Specimen Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1935-07-01
3 Xanthosoma robustum Kaunakakai, near the forestry barracks. Escaping from cultivation, now growing in adjacent areas wherever soil or discarded waste material is moved, also spreading locally by rhizomes. Preserved_Specimen Leaves dull, glaucus, set at an angle on the petiole, the apex pointing downward; petiole grooved, spongy; flowers erect, spathe cream colored with a pink tinge; spadix white; specimen appears to be forming fruit but germination not attempted. Oppenheimer, H.L. 40914 Molokai BISH 2009-04-02
4 Xanthosoma robustum Waimea Falls Park Along river bank. Preserved_Specimen Large herb forming clumps 4-6' tall & as broad; trunk to 1 meter long, decumbent in mature plants; lvs arching, tip downward pointing, midvein of basal lobes exposed, petiole & underside of blade whitish glaucous; no frts or flwrs. Often confused with Alocasia macrorhiza, also called `ape. Woolliams, K. Oahu BISH 1995-06-16
5 Xanthosoma robustum Kawainui Marsh. In pasture at Pali Hwy & Quarry Rd near stream In pasture near stream. Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 110 Oahu BISH 1976-06-22
6 Xanthosoma robustum Kaunakakai, near the forestry barracks. Escaping from cultivation, now growing in adjacent areas wherever soil or discarded waste material is moved, also spreading locally by rhizomes. Preserved_Specimen Leaves dull, glaucus, set at an angle on the petiole, the apex pointing downward; petiole grooved, spongy; flowers erect, spathe cream colored with a pink tinge; spadix white; specimen appears to be forming fruit but germination not attempted. Oppenheimer, H.L. 40914 Molokai BISH 2009-04-02
7 Xanthosoma robustum Waimea Falls Park Along river bank. Preserved_Specimen Herb forming clumps 7-8' tall & as broad; trunk to 1 m long, decumbent in mature plants; lvs arching, tip downward pointing, midvein of basal lobes exposed, many offsets around base; peti base u-shaped in cross-section; spathe tube open, 9 long, creamy white, spathe base greenish-white, 5, pink at constriction; spadix creamy white. Waimea Arboretum Staff Oahu BISH 1995-11-02
8 Xanthosoma robustum Waimea Falls Park Along river bank. Preserved_Specimen Large herb forming clumps 4-6' tall & as broad; trunk to 1 meter long, decumbent in mature plants; lvs arching, tip downward pointing, midvein of basal lobes exposed, petiole & underside of blade whitish glaucous; no frts or flwrs. Often confused with Alocasia macrorhiza, also called `ape. Woolliams, K. Oahu BISH 1995-06-16
9 Xanthosoma robustum Ranae Ganske Property, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii Growing in moderate to dense shade, mesic to wet conditions. Preserved_Specimen Very large to 2m+, bluish-green leaves, glaucous on petiole and underside of leaf. Crago, L.M. 2005186 Maui BISH 2005-08-11
10 Xanthosoma robustum Waimea Falls Park Along river bank. Preserved_Specimen Herb forming clumps 7-8' tall & as broad; trunk to 1 m long, decumbent in mature plants; lvs arching, tip downward pointing, midvein of basal lobes exposed, many offsets around base; peti base u-shaped in cross-section; spathe tube open, 9 long, creamy white, spathe base greenish-white, 5, pink at constriction; spadix creamy white. Waimea Arboretum Staff Oahu BISH 1995-11-02
11 Xanthosoma robustum East Maui, Hana District, Keanae, N of the Hana Hwy Growing between the shoreline and the road around Keanae peninsula. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 69912 Maui BISH 1999-06-14
12 Xanthosoma robustum W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokohau Valley, lower northern part, along a dirt road Growing along road. Preserved_Specimen Many plants of all size classes observed. Upper leaf surface dull green, lower leaf surface and petiole glaucous. Oppenheimer, H.L. 79907 Maui BISH 1999-07-06
13 Xanthosoma robustum East Maui, Makawao In pasture near stream. Preserved_Specimen Flowers fragrant. Degener, O. 20102 Maui BISH 1948-02-27
14 Xanthosoma robustum East Maui, Hana District, Keanae, N of the Hana Hwy Growing between the shoreline and the road around Keanae peninsula. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 69912 Maui BISH 1999-06-14
15 Xanthosoma robustum Waimea Falls Park Along river bank. Preserved_Specimen Herb forming clumps 7-8' tall & as broad; trunk to 1 m long, decumbent in mature plants; lvs arching, tip downward pointing, midvein of basal lobes exposed, many offsets around base; peti base u-shaped in cross-section; spathe tube open, 9 long, creamy white, spathe base greenish-white, 5, pink at constriction; spadix creamy white. Waimea Arboretum Staff Oahu BISH 1995-11-02
16 Xanthosoma robustum Honolulu: Kapalama; Bishop Museum campus, Hale Kini, beside the Tin Building Growing beneath the Cordia subcordata trees, in shady damp area. Preserved_Specimen No flwrs seen. Young offset from base of a larger plant. Phillips, T. 3 Oahu BISH 1990-07-11
17 Xanthosoma robustum W Maui, Lahaina District, Honokohau Valley, lower northern part, along a dirt road Growing along road. Preserved_Specimen Many plants of all size classes observed. Upper leaf surface dull green, lower leaf surface and petiole glaucous. Oppenheimer, H.L. 79907 Maui BISH 1999-07-06
18 Xanthosoma robustum Hamakua District, Waipio Valley, ca. 2 miles into the valley Herb 5 ft. tall growing alongside the dirt road leading into the back of the valley in disturbed secondary forest. Plant parts glaucous, young leaves held at right angle to petiole. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 9932 Hawaii BISH 1999-06-19
19 Xanthosoma robustum Kaneohe, roadside along Kam Hwy, just E of H-3 Hale Kou interchange, muddy swale along fence bounding the Koolau Golf Course Preserved_Specimen Clump of herbs ca. 25 ft diam, each plant 5-6 ft tall; sap milky when stem first cut; peti glaucous, only 1 plant in bloom; spathes 1-3 per leaf axil, spathe tube creamy white tinged pink, diciduous after flowering. Staples, G.W. 1131 Oahu BISH 1996-11-05
20 Xanthosoma robustum Lyon Aboretum below Garage Preserved_Specimen Herb 2-3m. Leaves saggitate, fleshy to 1.2 x 1m, dull green above; light whitish-green below. Midrib and veination above light yellow-green, prominent and protruding yellow-green below. Petiole to 1.4m, glaucous, especially near base and on younger leaves. Bract purplish-cream surrounding spike with white male flowers above pink female flowers. Makai, M.L. 277 Oahu BISH 1980-03-04
21 Xanthosoma robustum 42 Coelho Way, by house, sahded a.m. Preserved_Specimen Plant 6 1/2ft. high, 2 1/2 yrs old, with trunk 24 in. high, 7 in. diam. Mature leaf blades measure 30+ in. from tip to point of attachment with petiole, blade dull, medium green, lighter beneath, forms a shallow obtuse-angled trough, tip points down in majority of blades; petiole 4-5 ft. long. Young plants herbs. Fl. fragrant; spathe cream-colored to faint pink, open above, an overlapping tube below, closely enveloping fls., longer than spadix; spadix (see accompanying sketches. Does not produce fruit. New plants grow on long rhizomes. Neal, M.C. 1218 Oahu BISH 1939-10-30
22 Xanthosoma robustum 42 Coelho Way, by house, sahded a.m. Preserved_Specimen Plant 6 1/2ft. high, 2 1/2 yrs old, with trunk 24 in. high, 7 in. diam. Mature leaf blades measure 30+ in. from tip to point of attachment with petiole, blade dull, medium green, lighter beneath, forms a shallow obtuse-angled trough, tip points down in majority of blades; petiole 4-5 ft. long. Young plants herbs. Fl. fragrant; spathe cream-colored to faint pink, open above, an overlapping tube below, closely enveloping fls., longer than spadix; spadix (see accompanying sketches. Does not produce fruit. New plants grow on long rhizomes. Neal, M.C. 1218 Oahu BISH 1939-10-30
23 Xanthosoma robustum Kaneohe, roadside along Kam Hwy, just E of H-3 Hale Kou interchange, muddy swale along fence bounding the Koolau Golf Course Preserved_Specimen Clump of herbs ca. 25 ft diam, each plant 5-6 ft tall; sap milky when stem first cut; peti glaucous, only 1 plant in bloom; spathes 1-3 per leaf axil, spathe tube creamy white tinged pink, diciduous after flowering. Staples, G.W. 1131 Oahu BISH 1996-11-05
24 Xanthosoma robustum Honolulu, Foster Gardens Preserved_Specimen Young plants: leaves not peltate. Leaves somewhat white-powdery. Miyashiro, Y. Oahu BISH
25 Xanthosoma robustum Preserved_Specimen Teraoka, W. 277 Oahu BISH 1980-03-04
26 Xanthosoma robustum Kaneohe; Hawaii State Hospital for the insane Preserved_Specimen Lvs grow as big as those of Alocasia macrorrhiza; petiole covered with white bloom. Wilder, G.P. Oahu BISH 1935-07-03
27 Xanthosoma robustum Haleiwa; Waimea Falls Park Preserved_Specimen Herb 7-8 ft. tall & as broad, forming clumps along river bank; lvs arching, tip downward pointing, midvein of basal lobes exposed; petiole & underside of blade whitish glaucous, many offset around base; peti base U-shaped in cross-section; spathe tube open, 9 long, creamy white, spathe base greenish-white, 5, pink at constriction; spadix creamy white. Juvenile leaf from basal sucker. Waimea Arboretum Staff Oahu BISH 1995-11-02
28 Xanthosoma robustum Haleiwa; Waimea Falls Park Preserved_Specimen Herb 7-8 ft. tall & as broad, forming clumps along river bank; lvs arching, tip downward pointing, midvein of basal lobes exposed; petiole & underside of blade whitish glaucous, many offset around base; peti base U-shaped in cross-section; spathe tube open, 9 long, creamy white, spathe base greenish-white, 5, pink at constriction; spadix creamy white. Mature inflo. (center) & senescent inflo. (sides) Waimea Arboretum Staff Oahu BISH 1995-11-02
29 Xanthosoma robustum Haleiwa; Waimea Falls Park Preserved_Specimen Herb 7-8 ft. tall & as broad, forming clumps along river bank; lvs arching, tip downward pointing, midvein of basal lobes exposed; petiole & underside of blade whitish glaucous, many offset around base; peti base U-shaped in cross-section; spathe tube open, 9 long, creamy white, spathe base greenish-white, 5, pink at constriction; spadix creamy white. Sheath from new leaf? Waimea Arboretum Staff Oahu BISH 1995-11-02
30 Xanthosoma robustum Kaneohe, roadside along Kam Hwy, just E of H-3 Hale Kou interchange, muddy swale along fence bounding the Koolau Golf Course Preserved_Specimen Clump of herbs ca. 25 ft diam, each plant 5-6 ft tall; sap milky when stem first cut; peti glaucous, only 1 plant in bloom; spathes 1-3 per leaf axil, spathe tube creamy white tinged pink, diciduous after flowering. Staples, G.W. 1131 Oahu BISH 1996-11-05
31 Xanthosoma robustum Kaneohe, roadside along Kam Hwy, just E of H-3 Hale Kou interchange, muddy swale along fence bounding the Koolau Golf Course Preserved_Specimen Clump of herbs ca. 25 ft diam, each plant 5-6 ft tall; sap milky when stem first cut; peti glaucous, only 1 plant in bloom; spathes 1-3 per leaf axil, spathe tube creamy white tinged pink, diciduous after flowering. Staples, G.W. 1131 Oahu BISH 1996-11-05
32 Xanthosoma robustum Lyon Aboretum below Garage Preserved_Specimen Herb 2-3m. Leaves saggitate, fleshy to 1.2 x 1m, dull green above; light whitish-green below. Midrib and veination above light yellow-green, prominent and protruding yellow-green below. Petiole to 1.4m, glaucous, especially near base and on younger leaves. Bract purplish-cream surrounding spike with white male flowers above pink female flowers. Makai, M.L. 277 Oahu BISH 1980-03-04
Back to Top