Alocasia odora, a fragrant elephant's ear

Alocasias are especially appreciated for their decorative foliage. Alocasia odora, however, can also be grown for its flowers. This plant of the Araceae family, found in the wild from India to Japan, offers us a fragrant bloom.

Alocasia odora grows to no more than 1.5 meters high and 80 centimeters wide. It is a bushy perennial.

In their natural environment, Alocasias odora develop a brown trunk, about 50 centimetres long. But indoors, or in colder climates, the plant remains stunted. Only a green sheath, surrounding the long, fleshy petioles, emerges from the rhizomatous stump.

The light-green leaves are sharply veined. Oval, with a cordate base, they measure up to 60 centimetres in length. The semi-evergreen foliage holds up as long as temperatures remain positive. When the thermometer falls below 0, the limbs fall off, to be reborn in spring.

Alocasia flowers are often described as insignificant. But not with Alocasia odora! The inflorescence, composed of a green spathe and a yellow spadix, gives off a sweet scent. The fragrance is particularly powerful at night. Flowering occurs in summer, but, as with alocasia wentii, is rare for plants grown indoors.

In some Asian countries, Alocasia odora leaves and stems are boiled, cooked and eaten. However, the plant, raw or badly prepared, is highly toxic. It contains calcium oxalate crystals. These cause skin and mucous membrane irritation, as well as digestive disorders. Keep your specimen out of reach of pets (dog, cat, rabbit, etc.) and wear gloves when pruning or repotting.