Common Name: taro
Type: Bulb
Family: Araceae
Native Range: Southeastern Asia
Zone: 8 to 10
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to August
Bloom Description: Creamy white to yellow
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Annual, Ground Cover, Water Plant
Leaf: Colorful
Tolerate: Wet Soil
Culture
Best grown in evenly moist to wet, rich, humusy soils in part shade to full shade. Can be grown in water or on the edge of a pond. Hardy in Zones 8-10.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Colocasia fallax, commonly called silver leaf dwarf elephant ear or dwarf taro, is a herbaceous perennial native to moist, forest habits in eastern Asia. Individual plants will reach 1.5' tall and 3' wide, but will spread via above-ground stolons to quickly fill large areas. The heart-shaped leaves are green with a silver streak on their centers and can reach up to 1.25' and 1' wide. The cream to yellow colored inflorescences appear in summer and are made up of a spathe and spike-like spadix.
Genus name comes from the Greek word kolokasia used for the root of Nelumbo nucifera.
The specific epithet fallax means "deceptive".
The common names of this plant typically refer to either the silvery streak on the foliage or the small mature size of this species compared to many other colocasias.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems.
Uses
Mixed border plantings, pond edges. Suitable for use as a water plant or ground cover.