Alocasia micholitziana, an alocasia with velvety leaves

In 1912, Mr. Sander won the Royal Horticultural Exhibition's first botanical prize in the "New Plant" category by presenting an Alocasia micholitziana, a plant of the Araceae family native to the Philippines. Although this variety is no longer a novelty, it remains rare, and its velvety leaves are always a hit.

Alocasia micholitziana is a tuberous perennial. With its bushy habit, it doesn't exceed 50 centimetres in height and the same span.

The plant has long petioles (up to 45 centimetres). Green, they may be speckled with brown, red or purple.

Each plant has four to seven leaves. The velvety, sagittate blades have wavy margins. Their underside is pale green and plain. The upper surface is a deep, matte green enhanced by broad white veins. In recent years, botanists have developed cultivars variegated with white, yellow or mint green. Sold under the name Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek' variegata, they are particularly rare and in demand!

Alocasia micholitziana blooms in summer. Its greenish spathe contains a creamy spadix.

Alocasias are toxic to animals and humans. Their sap contains alkaloids and calcium oxalate, two harmful substances. They cause intestinal, kidney and respiratory disorders when ingested. They can also cause skin and mucous membrane irritation.