between Colocasia gigantea and C. esculenta? it seems like both get pretty big ears, but im guessing gigantea gets bigger.... are the leaves shaped different or something??
what's the difference...
They are different species. Their are tons of forms of esculenta around most are hybrids but the species can still be found. I believe 13 forms were taken to Hawaii they now have over a few hundered forms now. Some are selected for eating while others were used for ornamental reasons. The form commonly sold in walmarts and is used as a food with the huge tubers seems to be a tetriploid. It grows much larger than other forms due to the extra chromosomes.
The Colocasia Gigantea is a species and it gets very huge naturally. Their seems to be two forms, one form produces suckers at the base and does not tend to get as large. Another form gets very large and rarely produces suckers. The flowers, pollen and leaf structure on gigantea are slightly different than other species. Their are other species and some are hard to fine while Fallax and Affinis and may others can be found in the trade.
ok thanks