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Macaranga tanarius

Elephant's ear

Euphorbiaceae

Southeast Asia, Malesia, northern Australia, and the Pacific

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Macaranga tanarius is a fast-growing evergreen tree of tropical and subtropical regions, typically 13-33 feet (4-10 m) tall with a broad, spreading, umbrella-like crown. A characteristic feature is the large peltate leaf, rounded and 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) across, with the stalk attached inside the blade rather than at the edge, green above and paler beneath. It is dioecious, bearing small pale yellow-green flowers in branched clusters set among fringed, toothed bracts, the females followed by small two-to-three-lobed capsules covered in soft, warty spines. The leaves and stems carry extrafloral nectaries that attract ants, which deter leaf-eating insects. As a pioneer species it colonizes forest clearings, riverbanks, and disturbed ground quickly, growing from abundant seed and reaching flowering size within a few years. It is native from Southeast Asia and Malesia to northern Australia and the Pacific Islands. Being fast and short-lived, it is often used in reforestation as a nurse tree, though its weak wood and brief life limit its use as a long-term specimen.

Native Range

Macaranga tanarius is native from Southeast Asia and the Malesian region to northern Australia and the western Pacific Islands. It grows in lowland rainforest clearings, along rivers, and on disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Used as a fast nurse and shade tree in tropical reforestation, on riverbanks, and in large gardens for quick cover, spaced 13-20 feet (4-6 m) apart. The broad leaves give dense shade while slower trees establish. Traditionally the large leaves are used to wrap food and line containers.

How to Identify

Identify it by large, rounded, peltate leaves whose stalks join inside the leaf blade, on a fast-growing tree with a broad crown. Branched clusters of small flowers sit among fringed, toothed green bracts, and the round capsules are covered in soft, warty projections. The peltate leaves and warty fruit separate it from other Macaranga spp. species whose leaves attach at the stalk edge.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height13' - 33'

Width/Spread13' - 26'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Flowering occurs mainly in the warm season, with separate male and female trees producing branched sprays of small pale flowers among leafy bracts. Female trees follow with clusters of small, warty, lobed capsules. In tropical climates some flowering and fruiting can occur over much of the year.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green, paler beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-11 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 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun in moist, free-draining soil; as a pioneer it tolerates poor and disturbed ground and grows fastest with warmth and steady moisture. It is frost-tender and limited to USDA zones 10-11 and frost-free tropical climates. Young trees grow very quickly, so they need space and develop weak, brittle wood prone to storm damage. The shallow roots and dense seedfall mean it can self-sow into nearby ground. It is short-lived, often declining after 15-20 years. No special feeding is needed on reasonable tropical soils.

Pruning

Dead, crossing, or storm-damaged branches are removed as needed, since the brittle wood breaks easily. The tree can be cut back hard and resprouts vigorously from the trunk. Self-sown seedlings can be pulled to limit spread.