Looking at Plants

Alocasia ‘Polly’

COMMON NAMES

Polly Elephant’s Ear, Dwarf African Mask Plant, Dwarf Amazonica Alocasia

Alocasia (al-o-KAY-zhi-uh) – from Greek for “without” and Colocasia, a closely related genus from which it was separated

‘Polly’ – cultivar name; thought to be a dwarf sport of Amazonica Alocasia, which is a hybrid of Alocasia watsoniana and Alocasia sanderiana

OTHER NAMES / SYNONYMS

Alocasia ‘Poly’

Note: There is confusion in the naming of this plant within the trade. The cultivar name began as ‘Poly’ and over time within the trade, evolved into ‘Polly’. It is also sometimes seen as Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’, but most taxonomists do not consider “amazonica” as a true species name.

GROUP 

Monocot

FAMILY 

Araceae

ORIGIN

Florida

DESCRIPTION

Polly Elephant’s Ear is an evergreen herbaceous perennial that averages 2 to 2 ½ feet in height with a 1 ½ to 2 foot spread. It has an upright, clumping, dwarfish form spreading by rhizomes with a slow to moderate growth rate.

Leaves are evergreen, arrow-shaped to shield-like much longer than wide (some say it is shaped like an African mask – hence the common name), simple with wavy margins and prominent veins, shiny, approximately 1 foot in length, and dark green in color with light green, cream, and white veins, as well as white margins. The backside of the leaves is maroon.

The creamy/white flowers are borne on a spadix in a green spathe that ages to pale yellow.

Fruit are fleshy red berries on a cylindrical spadix.

HARDINESS

It is hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11.

LIGHT

Part shade; shade; the leaves get larger with stronger variegation in part shade; full sun will usually scorch the leaves especially in hotter regions; bright, indirect light indoors

SALT

Poor Salt Spray Tolerance – it’s risky for this plant to be put in a coastal area as it has minimal tolerance. It would require multiple layers of protection such as in a greenhouse, indoors, or in a small enclosed area such as a courtyard beyond the dunes.

SOIL

It prefers a rich, organic soil, but it will grow on well-drained soils in a pH range of 5.6 to 7.0.

WATERING

Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, but it prefers even moisture. Overwatering when the plants are young can lead to crown and stem rots.

PROPAGATION

Division of offsets; bulbs; seed, but cultivar qualities don’t always come true

PRUNING

Usually limited to removal of dead leaves

FERTILIZING

It has no special fertilizer needs. Unless a soil test suggests otherwise, a slow-release balanced analysis fertilizer applied per the product label will work.

PESTS

Croton Scale - University of Florida

Greenhouse Thrips - University of Florida

Aphids - University of California

Spider Mites - University of California

DISEASES

Erwinia Blight

Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot - University of California

Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot - Michigan State University

DEER

Resistant

There are very few totally “deer-proof” plants. There are also, relatively speaking, few plants that are considered a preferred food supply of deer. Most plants fall in the big gap between. One of the biggest variables is the available preferred food supply in a given area. If their preferred food is scarce, they will munch on most anything.

OTHER

USES

Tropical specimen, shade gardens, containers – indoor and out, focus plant, mixed plantings

TOXICITY

California Poison Control gives Alocasia spp. a listing of:

1 - Dermal Skin - contact with these plants can cause symptoms ranging from redness, itching, and rash to painful blisters like skin burns.

2a – Oxalates fast onset - The juice or sap of these plants contains tiny oxalate crystals that are shaped like tiny needles. Chewing on these plants can cause immediate pain and irritation to the lips, mouth and tongue. In severe cases, they may cause breathing problems by causing swelling in the throat.

ASPCA lists Alocasia spp. as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Texas A&M University lists Elephant Ear as: All parts       Intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue. Death can occur if base of the tongue swells enough to block the air passage of the throat.

The Cat Fanciers Association lists Alocasia and Elephant Ear as toxic to cats.