I received one called giant blue and wanted to know if it's true to it's name , the picture is small right now, I almost lost it to frost this past spring. But it came back. I know nothing about it. and where it came from. Other than it was sent to me in a trade. I just wanted to know is there such an elephant ear and is this one giant blue. thanks
It is a Xanthosoma, probably will get fairly huge and they usually have a bluish waxy look to the leaves.
thanks for the help
I do have one other question, I have the violaceum taro, isn't that one also called blue taro? cause it looks different than the one in this picture.
I have tried to find info on the giant blue taro you call xanthosoma giant blue and all I can find is info on the xanthosoma violaceum blue taro. They are two different ones aren't they? cause Both mine look different.
I would love to know the answer to this too!
Seems like we talk about Alocasia and Colocasias quite a bit but not so much about Xanths.
In my travels around Belize and Hawaii I have collected some great Xanths. I just don't know what they are.
How about it we use this thread to post some pics of Xanths and try to identify them?
It's raining now, but tomorrow I'll try to get some pics posted.
ROX
Sounds like a plan rox.
I still want to find out if these two different ones. the giant blue and violaceum blue taro, cause I have one of each of these and they are both different in looks.
Xanthosoma Atroverins
AKA Blue Giant
I named this for years ago. Their are tons of forms of Atroverins this form seemed to have a darker blue leaf. At the time I had grown them to around 7 feet tall. But the last few years I found it very hard to get them going. They love the heat and humidity. They produce huge tubers and can grow to over 9 feet if in a good area possibly larger. I have never seen them this large up north.
Your plant looks to be the true form. Dark bluish green leaves new stems are a bit purple in color and turn to a dark green.
WOOHOO!! Thanks so much Brian, I was hoping someone would come along and say just what you've said LOL
Hey Brian I meant to ask you, How hardy do you think this one is? I don't think I have it in a good enough place to get that tall LOL. but I doubt it will get that tall anyways If I have to dig it up in the winter time.
Your picture is beautiful. So tropical there. Is that outside ?
That pic was taken in northern florida. My plants grew a little smaller than them not as full. I would not believe it to be hardy were you are. But I have a friend in NC who has over wintered a few forms so it could be possible. I think taking it in for a few years till you have enough to test would be best. Good luck
Thanks for the info
As promised, I am starting a Xanth thread.
It will take me a few minutes to download all the pics.
ROX
Xanthosoma Blue Giant ended up getting almost 5 foot tall for me last year. Here's one picture of it. I never did take a picture of it at its largest. It went dormant on me this year, so I may not be able to get it as large. It is one of my favorites.
It is on the left in the picture.
