Alocasia cuprea, a plant from elsewhere

With its thick, metallic leaves, Alocasia cuprea looks like something out of a science-fiction film or a Damien Hirst exhibition. Yet this plant is actually the work of Mother Nature. Sometimes nicknamed the alien plant, it hails from the jungles of Borneo and belongs to the Araceae family.

Alocasia cuprea reaches two meters in height in the wild. Grown in pots and indoors, this perennial rarely exceeds 60 centimetres. In this case, its habit is bushy or upright.

The green stems are almost woody at the base. They support 60-centimetre-long hairless petioles.

Oval or elliptical leaves rise like shields from the tips of the petioles. Stiff, smooth and glossy, they are deeply veined. The largest are up to 60 centimetres long.

The color of the leaf blades depends on the variety. They can be light green, dark green or even have a metallic sheen. The most famous cultivar, alocasia 'Red Secret is distinguished by its very dark green foliage with coppery highlights.

When the plant flowers, it produces a white or cream inflorescence. The flowers are grouped on a spadix. This is surrounded by a greenish, lanceolate spathe.

Alocasia cuprea is toxic. Its foliage and stem contain calcium oxalate crystals, an irritating substance. It can swell the tongue and hinder breathing if ingested. It can also cause irritation if it comes into contact with the skin. Keep your plant out of reach of pets. And remember to wear gloves when pruning or repotting.