Alocasia macrorrhiza ‘Sting Ray’
COMMON NAMES
Sting Ray Elephant’s Ear
Alocasia (al-o-KAY-zhi-uh) – from Greek for “without” and Colocasia, a closely related genus from which it was separated
macrorrhiza (mak-ro-RYE-zuh) – having large roots
‘Sting Ray’ – cultivar name
OTHER NAMES / SYNONYMS
Alocasia ‘Sting Ray’
GROUP
Monocot
FAMILY
Araceae
ORIGIN
Thailand, Polynesia
DESCRIPTION
Sting Ray Elephant’s Ear is an evergreen herbaceous perennial that averages 5 to 6 feet in height with a comparable spread. It has an upright clumping form with a fast growth rate.
Leaves are evergreen, sting ray shaped with wing-like lobes and a pointed tail, somewhat ruffled, simple with wavy or scalloped margins, shiny, leathery, and dark green in color with paler backsides. The stems are speckled.
The flowers are borne on a spadix in a green spathe at the leaf base. It can bloom most anytime during the year.
Fruit are fleshy red berries on a cylindrical spadix.
HARDINESS
It is hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11. Zone 9 may need some protection from frosts.
LIGHT
Full sun with adequate water and good soil; part shade; shade
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
PESTS
Croton Scale - University of Florida
Greenhouse Thrips - University of Florida
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
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.
Copyright 2014 Looking at Plants. All rights reserved.