This one has me stumped... the leaves don't point up or down, they just kinda plateau. I picked it up on Kauai this past April and I'd really love to ID it. I've got three pictures of it in it's natural environment, plus the one I've got potted. Any ID's or a guess at the ID would be wonderful. I'm hoping it's distinct leaf shape and form will be enough for an ID.
-John
A closeup in its natural environment.
Another
The one I brought home - grew really quick considering how tiny it was. I have closeup photos if they'll help - but this is a good "top" view of it.
Put this under Aroids forum also.
Lavina
some kind of xanthosoma, i think
Xanthosoma (which I'd never heard of) certainly looks like the right category. That certainly helps me narrow it down. Thanks
I think it's this one: Xanthosoma sagittifolium (Arrow Leaf EE)
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2218/
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/poisonous-plants/poisonous_plants_images/xanthosoma_sagittifolium.jpg
This message was edited Sep 2, 2008 8:22 PM
Hrm, or is it Xanthosoma Robustum? This site below usually never steers me wrong on HI plants.
http://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/thumbnails/html/xanthosoma_robustum.htm
This message was edited Sep 2, 2008 8:28 PM
no clue
It is a Xanthosoma but it can be hard to put a species name with it. Their are a handful of well known species commonly found in the nursery seen. As well as some that have naturalized in Florida. The first few photos I would have not really known for sure what species it is but from the odd bluish green coloration's on the last pic I would think it is Xanthosoma atrovirens. Their are a few forms of Robustum some with streaked stems and others with a dark green leaf and bluish to purple petioles.
Sagittifolium will usually be all the same dark green color with a rippling effect in the leaves. The colors on the spaths can help also ID them. The problem here is I know about 9 species off hand but their are many more and even some of the best botanist still have a hard time telling some of the species apart. Some look to be hybrids or possibly a few species are actually just different variations of the same species. It is very hard to tell. The best bet is to keep your collecting data of were the plant was collected and take a photo of the plant as well as a flower. This may includes dissecting the flower to see the good parts. After this they maybe able to give you a answer or possibly a good clue as to what it may be. Just off hand I would say atrovirens but flowers would help me ID it.
Thanks Brian. If it blooms I'll certainly take a photo and post it. I'm just glad to finally know what it is in general. Until today I had no idea it was even a Xanthosoma.
For the record, here are two shots of mine close up. It's amazing how fast this thing grew. It was a TINY little thing when I obtained it in April. Now it's practically as big as the parent plants that were around it.
Another. Will post a photo of the bloom when/if it does so this fall.
wow that blue on it is beautiful
Shoot, I can't really see it since I'm colorblind. But I do love this EE, it's one of my favorites. I think it might be hardy too, so maybe if it produces pups I can split one off next year and plant it.
oh sorry... i forgot about that
Is this type of EE's what some might call "runners" - I noticed in the pot it has sent a "arm" out like many of my 'running' EE's do. Just curious.
I need to ID those definite runners too now that I think about it. They have taken over part of my lower yard; and they are slowly making their way into my neighbors yard.
I finally got a bloom - inside the garage in February no less. And several of the 'runner' shoots have developed into aggressively growing plants of their own, which I've cut off and potted. If I can ID this guy, and if it's hardy, I really want to put him in the ground. I'm hoping it is, it's a magnificent plant.
Here's the spath.
Another...
It looks to be Xanthosoma atroverins from the flower but this is a hard group for even the experts to ID. I have heard some reports of them being root hardy in zone 7b and zone 8. I would suggest testing some of the extras for hardiness. A harsh winter could kill it I am sure.
Thanks, I'll give one a shot next year.
Hi Keonikale, your EE is definitely Xanthosoma robustum. They are widely naturalized across the State of Hawai'i, since it's introduction in the 1920's.
It is commonly called 'ape, and often mistaken for Alocasia macrorrhizos.
Aloha, Dave
Thanks Dave. Looks like Forest and Kim Starr were right again - I love their index of plants. I'm going to try a few in the ground this year and hopefully they'll survive our winter. Gorgeous plants.
The plants grow quite large up in Kamuela (Waimea) on the Big Island, and in Upper Kula on Maui; it is over 3,000 ft. in both places and they get frosts almost every year.
