Help in identifying a taro cultivar

From: "Eric Walton" <ewalton at hort.cri.nz> on 1997.08.12 at 14:32:38(1044) Dear All I am wondering if someone could help me with an identification of 'a taro'. Last week I was on holiday in Cairns, in north-eastern Queenland, Australia. While visiting the local botanical gardens I saw a most beautiful taro. The leaves were completely reddish purple in colour with a mat finish. The leaves came out green, veins purple, and turned green with age. The largest plants were about 2 feet tall. I suspect the plant multiplies by offsets but perhaps also runners. I was told by the Curator of the gardens that it was a cultivar of Colocasia esculentum. Can anybody offer me more information than that? Or better still a piece of the plant! I took a few photos but they have not been developed as yet. Should anybody be visiting Cairns, I recommend a visit. It is in tropical Australia and (to my eye anyway!), it has wonderful collections of aroids, palms and gingers in a well landscaped setting. Thanks in advance Eric Walton +More New Zealand ewalton@hort.cri.nz

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