I bought this a couple of years ago at the Aroid Show at Fairchild Gardens. I never knew the name but always assumed it was Alocasia macrorrhizos 'Black Stem'. When I bought it I was told it would grow to about 4'. It is definitely taller than that but not by much. I just looked up Alocasia macrorrhizos and read it grows to 15'. If that's what I have I better move it,
I would really appreciate any help with an ID.
Thanks so much!
I would say that your plant is, indeed, the Alocasia macrorrhizos with dark petioles. Not all types of macrorrhizos will grow to 15 feet; in fact, I've never seen a live specimen that ever attained those proportions. I have seen pictures of plants of that size, but not grown anywhere in the United States. The types available here would do well to get as tall as 8 feet, and if so, they are probably Borneo Giants. The largest "blackstem" I've seen was no more than 5 feet tall from soil to leaf tip.
LariAnn
Aroidia Research
http://aroidiaresearch.org
Thanks so much!
