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Alocasia brisbanensis

cunjevoi

Araceae Eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Alocasia brisbanensis is a large evergreen rhizomatous herb reaching 3-6 feet (1-1.8 m) tall and 3-5 feet (1-1.5 m) wide, growing from a thick fleshy rhizome that sits at or above the soil surface. Glossy dark green leaves are broadly arrow-shaped, 12-32 inches (30-80 cm) long, held on long succulent stalks. The inflorescence is an arum-type structure with a pale green to yellowish spathe 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long partly enclosing a central spadix, followed by a dense cluster of red to orange-red berries. Flowering occurs mainly in the warmer months. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic if eaten, causing intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, and the sap irritates skin. Growth is moderate, with clumps spreading slowly from the rhizome. Leaves are damaged by frost and by strong wind in exposed sites.

Native Range

Native to eastern Australia, from north Queensland to southern New South Wales. Grows in the moist, shaded understorey of subtropical and warm-temperate rainforest, along creek banks and gullies in rich, damp soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a foliage feature in shaded subtropical and rainforest-style gardens, spaced 3-5 feet (1-1.5 m) apart. Used beside ponds and in damp, sheltered courtyards. The toxic sap and berries make it unsuited to gardens used by young children.

How to Identify

Identified by large glossy arrow-shaped leaves 12-32 inches (30-80 cm) long on long fleshy stalks, rising from a thick rhizome at the soil surface. The arum-type inflorescence has a pale green spathe 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, and dense clusters of red berries follow. Distinguished from Colocasia esculenta, which holds its leaves pointing downward, by leaf blades held outward or upward.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'

Width/Spread3' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers mainly in the warmer months (spring to summer, October to February in its native range). The green to yellowish spathe is short-lived, followed by red to orange-red berries that persist for several weeks. Flowering is irregular and depends on plant size and growing conditions.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale green to yellowish

Foliage Description

glossy dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in part to full shade in moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter. Water regularly to keep the soil damp, as the large leaves wilt quickly in dry conditions. Frost and strong wind tear and blacken the foliage, limiting it to sheltered positions in cooler zones. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause burning and swelling if eaten, and the sap irritates skin. Few pests occur, though spider mites appear on plants grown in dry air. Remove damaged leaves at the base to maintain appearance.

Pruning

Remove old, damaged, or frost-affected leaves at the base of the stalk as they decline. Cut spent flower stalks once the berries fade. No structural pruning is needed, as the plant renews leaves from the rhizome.