Are Elephant Ear Plants Edible – If you have an elephant ear plant at home, you might be wondering if it’s edible. There are mixed answers to this question, asking gardeners and plant owners, ‘Can elephant ears be eaten?’
Read on to find out whether the elephant ear plant is edible or not and what it is good for.
Are Elephant Ear Plants Edible
Elephant ear plant is a common name for a tropical plant known for its large leaves. Most of the plant species belong to the arum and aroid family (Araneae) and are bought and grown as ornamentals. They belong to the genera Alocasia, Colocasia and Xanthosoma.
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Elephant ear is a beautiful plant that adds a tropical look to the garden. They are also known as the main food source in various parts of the world. In fact, it is cultivated for starch pulp and/or edible pulp, which has become a staple in tropical regions.
It is said that not all types of elephant ear plants are edible. You need to distinguish between edible and non-edible types to determine which ones are safe to consume.
No part of the Alocasia plant is edible, but the leaves and roots of the Colocasia. So, how can you differentiate to avoid eating the wrong foods?
While the leaves of Alocasia and Colocasia are similar, there is one main way to tell them apart. Alocasia leaves will grow upwards or horizontally, while Colocasia leaves will point downwards. In addition, Alocasia leaves are attached to the leaf stem, while Colocasia leaves are attached to the underside of the leaves.
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As for the edible elephant ear plant, it has been cultivated for thousands of years. It is consumed in various ways. Generally, people grind the root into an edible paste, called poi. As for the leaves, they are used to steam meat or vegetables.
Before eating the leaves, make sure you cook them first! While the leaves of some species are edible, the leaves and plant parts will contain fine calcium oxalate crystals, which are skin irritants. But be careful, because some people are sensitive to baby grass, so if you are not a good cook or sensitive, then stay away from the elephant ear plant.
In addition, you should keep elephant ear plants away from children and animals, because contact with elephant ears is poisonous. If a child or animal eats raw parts of an inedible plant or species, it can cause serious illness. If consumed in large quantities, the worst case scenario is death.
The elephant ear plant is safe to eat, if you have a Colocasia plant and cook it properly to avoid irritation and digestion. Do not forget to keep it away from children and animals, because they can eat without your supervision, which can endanger their health.
Elephant Ears Colocasia Hi Res Stock Photography And Images
Fortunately, you have learned a lot about the elephant ear plant and whether or not it is edible. Keep this information in mind when you get an elephant ear plant in your home. Happy gardening!
Not only do they share the same features, but they also share a name and are referred to as “elephant ears”.
When plant enthusiasts talk about the elephant in the room, they’re probably talking about alocasia or colocasia!
If you’re looking to buy a certain elephant ear plant, but aren’t sure how to tell one from the other, check out our Alocasia vs Colocasia analysis to find out!
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Both Alocasia and Colocasia are members of the aroid family called Araceae, members of which are regularly grown as houseplants.
Coming from the same family, the difference becomes very difficult. Plants have limited characteristics and often you have to look at small details to distinguish which species they are.
When it comes to Alocasia vs Colocasia, it is important to analyze the foliage, growth requirements, and root and flower structure.
You will also learn which plants are edible and which are not.
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When we look at the leaves of some plants, we first notice their shape and size. We don’t think about the path of the leaves.
In fact, before I started my plant collection, I didn’t even know the orientation of the leaves.
Alocasia plants have a horizontal orientation and the leaf blade extends beyond the leaf, so the tip of the leaf appears upward. The leaves are arrow-shaped, although sometimes they can be lanceolate. Alocasia leaves appear green and shiny, with roots underneath.
In contrast, the Colocasia plant has leaves that descend from the tip to the leaf, so Colocasia leaves appear to curl downwards. They have a matte, dark green color without visible veins, and they also differ in shape, as Colocasia leaves are rounder than Alocasia leaves.
Colocasia (dasheen, Elephant’s Ear, Taro)
It is rare to find an edible houseplant, as most are poisonous and should be kept away from children and pets.
When it comes to the elephant ear plant, you should know that only some parts of Colocasia are edible. For example, Colocasia tuber, commonly called Taro, is a part of this plant that can be sold as an edible plant in Hawaii, where this plant is widely cultivated.
If you ever go on vacation to Hawaii, go to the grocery store and you will find Taro for cheap!
Most Alocasia plants are inedible, although there are some species that have edible stems, but I advise you not to eat them.
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Use the large leaves for decorative purposes, but don’t try to cook them! It would be a shame to eat these beautiful, green leaves.
Correct! Although they appear in practice, the root structure is different. While Colocasia only produces large shoots that can be used as a food crop, Alocasia grows thinner shoots with rhizomes.
When sowing, you must separate the shoots from the rhizomes in Alocasia. When it comes to Colocasia, only the stems are separated and used for distribution.
If we look at the female flower, we can see that in the Alocasia plant the placenta is basal and along the inner base there are ovaries and stalks.
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In Colocasia plants, the placenta is internal, attached to the stem and the ovary is inside the ovary.
As family members grow up, they often have similar needs. However, this is not the case with the Elephant ear plant.
For example, Colocasia may be the only plant that likes moist soil. It can grow in moist soil and even in standing water!
On the other hand, Alocasia does not like moist soil for a long time because it can cause drying of the roots, which affects the overall health of the plant. This means that it is best for you to plant Alocasia in well-drained soil that does not retain moisture.
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When it comes to light requirements, Colocasia can be grown in full sun, while Alocasia prefers slightly shaded areas.
Everything else is pretty much the same when it comes to treatment needs and guidelines. For more information you can also watch this video:
Now that we know the difference, let’s look at some Alocasia vs Colocasia comparisons and learn how and when to plant them. You will also find step-by-step care instructions for these plants in this section.
Both Alocasia and Colocasia are tropical plants known for their beautiful green leaves, which are mostly used for decoration. It is easy to imagine this beautiful large leaves in the corner of the room!
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Anyone who sees him wants to talk about the elephant in the room; This plant can not be ignored easily!
I personally like the forest atmosphere in my room, and it is easy to achieve with the Elephant Ear plant because it captures the nature of the forest.
If grown in hardiness zones 9 to 11, they are winter hardy and you can keep them outside all year round! They are considered annuals, and if you live in a slightly cooler area, it is better to bring them indoors.
The term “Elephant’s Ear” groups them together, mainly because of the shape of the leaves in Alocasia and Colocasia.
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However, there is a special meaning behind the name Alocasia, which is “the tree that grows to the sky”. It is mentioned in many stories, usually to encourage young people to always take chances, even if it is dangerous.
The Alocasia plant was originally found in Asia and eastern Australia, and the Alocasia genus currently has 97 species.
First of all, Alocasia is easy to care for and can be grown both indoors and outdoors, making it one of the best.
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