Elephant EarElephant EarXanthosomaXanthosoma sagittifoliumsagittifolium (L.)(L.) AraceaeAraceae

Taro, DasheenTaro, DasheenColocasiaColocasia esculentaesculenta (L.) Schott (L.) Schott AraceaeAraceae

Biology Biology •• Elephant ear native to central AmericaElephant ear native to central America•• Taro native to Africa Taro native to Africa •• Both widely grown for food in several Both widely grown for food in several

countriescountries•• Introduced to U.S. as an ornamentalIntroduced to U.S. as an ornamental•• Large, uniquely shaped, fleshy leaves Large, uniquely shaped, fleshy leaves

and large tubersand large tubers

Distribution & ImpactsDistribution & Impacts•• Found in central and south FloridaFound in central and south Florida•• Both associated with swamps and along Both associated with swamps and along

streamsstreams•• Taro more wide spread, found along the Taro more wide spread, found along the

shorelines of central Florida lakesshorelines of central Florida lakes•• Displaces native, other desirable speciesDisplaces native, other desirable species•• May cause problems with water flowMay cause problems with water flow

Elephant Ear Distribution in FloridaElephant Ear Distribution in Florida

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant•• Both species are Both species are

herbaceous herbaceous perennials, arising perennials, arising from large corms from large corms (tubers)(tubers)

•• Also form rhizomes Also form rhizomes –– offshoots from the offshoots from the cormscorms

LeavesLeaves•• Leaves arrowLeaves arrow--shaped shaped

with long petioles and with long petioles and wavy marginswavy margins

•• Taro Taro –– petiole attaches petiole attaches several inches from several inches from ‘‘VV’’–– Dark green, 4 feet tallDark green, 4 feet tall

•• Elephant ear Elephant ear –– petiole petiole attaches at the attaches at the ‘‘VV’’–– Light green, 9 feet tallLight green, 9 feet tall

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCulturalMechanicalMechanicalBiologicalBiologicalChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Remove existing plants, rouge plants Remove existing plants, rouge plants

from from ditchbanksditchbanks, removing tubers also, removing tubers also2.2. Use caution when disposing garden Use caution when disposing garden

waste waste –– could contain fragmentscould contain fragments

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace taro and/or elephant earreplace taro and/or elephant ear2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners

about the problems associated with about the problems associated with these plants and proper identificationthese plants and proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for taro or elephant agents available for taro or elephant ear management in Florida or the ear management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull plants, small infestationsHand pull plants, small infestations2.2. Mowing or cultivation, is very effective, Mowing or cultivation, is very effective,

but not a viable option in many areasbut not a viable option in many areas3.3. Both contain oxalic acid, causing Both contain oxalic acid, causing

irritation to skin irritation to skin –– use caution when use caution when cutting and removing plantscutting and removing plants

ChemicalChemical1.1. OverOver--thethe--top applications of top applications of

glyphosate as a 2glyphosate as a 2--5% solution plus 5% solution plus 0.25% surfactant 0.25% surfactant

2.2. FollowupFollowup treatment likely, especially treatment likely, especially on larger, dense populationson larger, dense populations

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage:

http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.htm

Useful LinksUseful Links• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER).

Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Plants Database: http://plants.usda.gov

Literature CitedLiterature CitedLangeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non1998. Identification and Biology of Non--Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 ppFlorida, Gainesville. 165 pp