Leucocasia: Asia’s Giant Elephant Ear

Leucocasia is a monotypic genus in the Araceae family, represented solely by Leucocasia gigantea, the giant elephant ear. Native from south-central China through western Malesia, this tuberous geophyte produces large fibrous corms topped with whorls of thick green leaves, captivating both novice gardeners and botanical specialists with its remarkable size and its close evolutionary ties to taro and alocasias.