Alocasia macrorrhizos

(L.) G. Don

Giant Alocasia

G5Secure Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.160587
Element CodePMARA02010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderArales
FamilyAraceae
GenusAlocasia
Synonyms
Alocasia macrorrhiza(L.) SCHOTT
Other Common Names
Giant Taro (EN) giant taro (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Review Date1995-12-06
Change Date1995-12-06
Edition Date1996-01-04
Edition AuthorsThunhorst, G.
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Rank Reasons
Alocasia macrorrhizos has a wide distribution and is naturalized in some places where it has been introduced.
Range Extent Comments
The exact place of origin of Alocasia macrorrhizos is unknown. It occurs from India and Sri Lanka through southeastern Asia to Polynesia. In Hawai'i, it is documented from Kaua'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i, and Maui, but it probably also occurs on the other main islands (Wagner et al. 1990).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

In Hawai'i Alocasia macrorrhizos is cultivated and now naturalized in low elevation mesic valleys, primarily along streams or in other wet sites (Wagner et al. 1990).
Other Nations (1)
United StatesNNA
ProvinceRankNative
HawaiiSNANo
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (2)
Puerto Rico (2)
AreaForestAcres
El Toro AreaCaribbean National Forest12,584
Mameyes AreaCaribbean National Forest11,150
References (2)
  1. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  2. Wagner, W.L., D.R. Herbst, and S.H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Univ. Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1853 pp.