Alocasia longiloba explained

Alocasia longiloba is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae.[1] It is the namesake of a species complex.[2] The complex has a widespread distribution; Guangdong, Hainan, and southern Yunnan in China, mainland Southeast Asia, and western and central Malesia.[1]

In the houseplant trade, many of the former species that were subsumed into Alocasia longiloba are now considered types or varieties, these include 'argyrea', 'korthalsii', 'lowii', and 'watsoniana'.[3] The placement and validity of such varieties, and of any potential hybrids and cultivars within the complex is unclear, including 'Jackrabbit' and 'Thibautians'.[3] [4] Similarly, a cross of Alocasia lowii with the kris plant Alocasia sanderiana produced Alocasia ×mortfontanensis, which may or may not be the same as the well-known hybrid Alocasia ×amazonica, the African mask, formed by crossing A.sanderiana and Alocasia watsoniana, with the only certain parent in either cross being A.sanderiana.[5]

Notes and References

  1. 84195-1 . Alocasia longiloba Miq. . 22 June 2022 .
  2. Giant taro and its relatives: A phylogeny of the large genus Alocasia (Araceae) sheds light on Miocene floristic exchange in the Malesian region . 2012 . Nauheimer . Lars . Boyce . Peter C. . Renner . Susanne S. . Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 63 . 1 . 43–51 . 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.12.011 . 22209857 . 2012MolPE..63...43N .
  3. Web site: Alocasia longiloba Miq. . . 24 February 2021 . aroid.org . International Aroid Society . 22 June 2022 .
  4. Web site: Alocasia longiloba 'Thibautians' elephant's ear plant 'Thibautians' . 2022 . The Royal Horticultural Society . 22 June 2022 . Name status; Unresolved .
  5. Web site: Alocasia × mortfontanensis André . . 23 February 2022 . nparks.gov.sg . Flora Fauna Web . 22 June 2022 .