Alocasia and Colocasia

This is an Alocasia, cultivar 'Calidora'. Alocasia, along with Colocasia, Xanthosoma, and Caladium are commonly called elephant ear plants. They are all members of the Araceae family of plants. As a rule of thumb the leaves on Alocasia go in the same direction as the petioles, usually pointing upwards. The leaves on Colocasia and Xanthosoma are attached at an angle to the petioles, usually pointing downwards.

Link to Alocasia:

Link to Araceae:

This is another Alocasia at Purdue Horticulture Gardens.

Here are two varieties of Colocasia esculenta. The Colocasia with the speckled leaves is Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito'. The plant with the black leaves is Colocasia esculenta 'Imperial Illustris'. Pictures taken August 13, 2010.

Link to Colocasia:

Link to Colocasia esculenta:

Link to Colocasia and Xanthosoma on Purdue campus:

Link to post on Caladium: