Alocasia cucullata (Chinese taro)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Rainfall Regime
- Natural enemies
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Impact Summary
- Environmental Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- References
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Alocasia cucullata (Lour.) G.Don
Preferred Common Name
- Chinese taro
Other Scientific Names
- Alocasia rugosa (Desf.) Schott
- Arum cucullatum Lour.
- Caladium colocasia Schott ex Wight
- Caladium cucullatum (Lour.) Pers.
- Caladium rugosum Desf.
- Colocasia cochleata Miq.
- Colocasia cucullata (Lour.) Schott
- Colocasia rugosa (Desf.) Kunth
- Panzhuyuia omeiensis Z.Y.Zhu
International Common Names
- English: Buddha's hand; Chinese ape; dwarf elephant ear
- Chinese: jian wei yu
Local Common Names
- India: boga kachu; mukhi-kochu; panchamukhi kochu
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageAlocasia cucullata is a clumping evergreen herbaceous plant that is grown as a food plant and as an ornamental in areas within and outside its native distribution range of tropical and temperate Asia. This species spreads by seed and vegetatively by root suckers, rhizomes and corm fragments. It is listed as invasive in Cuba, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Micronesia and French Polynesia. It is also listed in the Global Compendium of Weeds. A. cucullata is considered an invasive species with the potential to colonize and become naturalized in the understorey of rainforests and moist areas along streams and riverbanks.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Monocotyledonae
- Order: Arales
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Alocasia
- Species: Alocasia cucullata
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageThe Araceae is a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants comprising about 144 genera and more than 3,600 species distributed mostly in tropical areas in the New World, and also in Australia, Africa-Madagascar and Asia (Stevens, 2019). The genus Alocasia comprises over 113 species of humid and rainforest understorey plants in Southeast Asia, the Malesian region and Australia. Several Alocasia species, including the giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) and Chinese taro (Alocasia cucullata), are not only important food plants but also cultivated as ornamentals (Nauheimer et al., 2012).
Description
Top of pageThe following description is adapted from Flora of China (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2019).
Herbs, clumping, small to medium sized, somewhat robust, to 1 m, evergreen. Stems erect, hypogeal, basally much branched. Leaves many together; petiole weakly D-shaped in cross section, 25-30(-80) cm, sheath reaching to ca. 1/2 way, margins membranous; leaf blade broadly ovate-cordate, 10-40 × 7-28 cm, base shallowly cordate, apex acute; primary veins 4 on each side, radiating from petiole, arching, interprimary veins not forming a collective vein. Inflorescences rarely produced, usually solitary, sometimes paired, among leaf bases, subtended by membranous cataphylls; peduncle 20-30 cm. Spathe green, 9-15 cm; proximal spathe 4-8 × 2.5 cm; limb narrowly cymbiform, 5-10 × 3-5 cm. Spadix 8-14 cm; female zone cylindric, 1.5-2.5 cm × 7 mm; sterile zone 2-3 cm × 3 mm; male zone yellow, 3.4 cm × 8 mm; appendix yellowish, narrowly conic, 3.5 cm × 5 mm. Fruit a subglobose berry, 6-8 mm in diameter, ripening red.
Distribution
Top of pageAlocasia cucullata is native to tropical and temperate Asia. It can be found cultivated and naturalized in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador and on many islands in the Pacific region (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2019; USDA-ARS, 2019).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 03 Jul 2020Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asia |
|||||||
Bangladesh | Present | Native | |||||
China | Present | Native | |||||
-Fujian | Present | Native | |||||
-Guangdong | Present | Native | |||||
-Guangxi | Present | Native | |||||
-Guizhou | Present | Native | |||||
-Hainan | Present | Native | |||||
-Sichuan | Present | Native | |||||
-Yunnan | Present | Native | |||||
Hong Kong | Present | Native | |||||
India | Present | Native | Cultivated | ||||
-Assam | Present | Cultivated | |||||
-Meghalaya | Present | Native | |||||
-West Bengal | Present | Native | |||||
Japan | Present | Introduced | Naturalized | Cultivated | |||
-Bonin Islands | Present | Introduced | Ogasawara-shoto | ||||
-Ryukyu Islands | Present | Introduced | Nansei-shoto | ||||
Laos | Present | Native | |||||
Malaysia | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Myanmar | Present | Native | Cultivated | ||||
Nepal | Present | Native | |||||
Singapore | Present | Introduced | Cultivated | ||||
Sri Lanka | Present | Native | Cultivated | ||||
Taiwan | Present | Native | |||||
Thailand | Present | Native | Cultivated | ||||
Vietnam | Present | Native | |||||
North America |
|||||||
Costa Rica | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Cuba | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Honduras | Present | Introduced | Naturalized | Cultivated | |||
United States | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Hawaii | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Oceania |
|||||||
Cook Islands | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Federated States of Micronesia | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Kosrae | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Pohnpei | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Fiji | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
French Polynesia | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Guam | Present | Introduced | |||||
Marshall Islands | Present | Introduced | |||||
Nauru | Present | Introduced | |||||
New Caledonia | Present | Introduced | |||||
Northern Mariana Islands | Present | Introduced | |||||
Palau | Present | Introduced | |||||
South America |
|||||||
Colombia | Present | Introduced | |||||
Ecuador | Present | Introduced | Cultivated |
Habitat
Top of pageAlocasia cucullata can be found growing in the shady understorey of moist and humid forests, lowland forests, rainforests, along streams and river banks, in disturbed fields, forest gaps and in secondary forests. In China, it grows at elevations below 2000 m (Nauheimer et al., 2012; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2019). In Costa Rica and Hawaii it has naturalized in the understorey of humid forests (Grayum, 2003; PIER, 2019).
Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Urban / peri-urban areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Urban / peri-urban areas | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Urban / peri-urban areas | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
The chromosome number reported for A. cucullata is 2n = 28 (Ankei, 1987).
Reproductive Biology
Alocasia cucullata is a hermaphroditic species with protogynous inflorescences. Like other Alocasia species, it is pollinated by drosophilid flies of the genus Colocasiomyia that use the spadices as breeding sites (Ivancic et al., 2005; Sultana et al., 2006). The flies are attracted by a strong, peculiar fragrance emitted by the inflorescences during their blooming sequences. Although little is known about the specificity of Alocasia pollinators or hybridization in nature, morphologically polymorphic species or species ‘complexes’ have been suspected as involving hybridization (Hay, 1998). In Japan where A. cucullata is considered an alien species, a study showed that the flies Colocasiomyia alocasiae and C. xenalocasiae (Diptera: Drosophilidae), previously known to be specific pollinators of the native species A. odora were also pollinating A. cucullata (Miyake and Yafuso, 2005).
Physiology and Phenology
Although inflorescences are rarely produced, flowering has been observed in May in China (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2019).
Longevity
Alocasia cucullata is a perennial herb but in some areas it grows as an annual (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2019).
Associations
Inflorescences of several aroid species in the genera Alocasia, Colocasia and Homalomena provide breeding sites for host-specific flies of the genus Colocasiomyia (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and, in return, plants are pollinated by the flies (Miyake and Yafuso, 2005; Nauheimer et al., 2012).
Environmental Requirements
Alocasia cucullata prefers moist tropical and subtropical climates. It is adapted to grow in shaded areas (e.g. the forest understorey) but can also grow in full sun (Useful Tropical Plants, 2019; PIER, 2019; National Parks Board, 2019). While the species tolerates waterlogged soils, it should not be grown submerged in water (National Parks Board, 2019).
Climate
Top of pageClimate | Status | Description | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
Af - Tropical rainforest climate | Preferred | > 60mm precipitation per month | |
Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Preferred | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | |
As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) |
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of pageLatitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
---|---|---|---|
30 | 30 |
Rainfall
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Mean annual rainfall | 1000 | >2500 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Natural enemies
Top of pageNatural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pantoea agglomerans | Pathogen | Plants|Leaves | not specific |
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageBacterial spot disease caused by Pantoea agglomerans has been observed in A. cucullata grown in gardens in Brazil (Romeiro et al., 2007); diseased plants showed distinct necrotic spots on the leaf lamina and margins.
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageIn cultivation fruits are rarely produced. Within its native distribution range, seeds of A. cucullata are dispersed by birds. It also spreads vegetatively by suckers, corm fragments and rhizomes. Small corm or root fragments in the soil are enough to give rise to new plants. This species often reaches new localities through the movement of soil by humans (Staples et al., 2003; Miyake and Yafuso, 2005; Nauheimer et al. 2012; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2019).
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Botanical gardens and zoos | Cultivated as an ornamental | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2019) |
Crop production | Corms consumed by humans | Yes | Useful Tropical Plants (2019) | |
Disturbance | Often in forest gaps, disturbed moist areas | Yes | Yes | Nauheimer et al. (2012) |
Escape from confinement or garden escape | Escaped or persistent after cultivation | Yes | Yes | Grayum (2003) |
Garden waste disposal | Cultivated as ornamental | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2019) |
Horticulture | Cultivated as an ornamental | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2019) |
Internet sales | Plants sold online | Yes | Yes | |
Medicinal use | Used in traditional Asian medicine | Yes | Useful Tropical Plants (2019) | |
Nursery trade | Cultivated as an ornamental | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2019) |
Ornamental purposes | Cultivated as an ornamental | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2019) |
People foraging | Corms consumed by humans | Yes | Useful Tropical Plants (2019) |
Pathway Vectors
Top of pageVector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Debris and waste associated with human activities | Cultivated as an ornamental and as a food plant | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2019) |
Plants sold online | Yes | Yes | ||
Soil, sand and gravel | Root segments and rhizomes in soil moved by humans | Yes | Yes | PIER (2019) |
Impact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Cultural/amenity | Positive |
Economic/livelihood | Positive |
Environment (generally) | Positive and negative |
Human health | Positive and negative |
Environmental Impact
Top of pageAlocasia cucullata is listed as invasive in Cuba, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Micronesia and French Polynesia, and has the potential to displace native species. It has become naturalized in the understorey of rainforests and moist areas along stream and river banks (Grayum, 2003; Chacón and Saborío, 2012; Oviedo Prieto and González-Oliva, 2015; PIER, 2019).
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Has a broad native range
- Is a habitat generalist
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Pioneering in disturbed areas
- Tolerant of shade
- Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
- Long lived
- Fast growing
- Reproduces asexually
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Poisoning
- Rapid growth
- Rooting
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Uses
Top of pageAlocasia cucullata is used as a food plant and as an ornamental. The corms are eaten as a root vegetable. All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. This substance is toxic to humans and animals when fresh, but can easily be broken down either by cooking the plant or by fully drying it. The plant is safe to eat in either of these states (Useful Tropical Plants, 2019). In China, all parts of the plant are are used externally for treating viper bites, abscesses, rheumatism and arthritis (Boyce, 2008). It is often grown in Buddhist temples and in front of residential houses in Laos and Thailand because it is believed to bring good fortune (Useful Tropical Plants, 2019; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2019; National Parks Board, 2019).
Uses List
Top of pageEnvironmental
- Amenity
Human food and beverage
- Root crop
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
- Traditional/folklore
Ornamental
- garden plant
- Potted plant
References
Top of pageAnkei T, 1987. Morphology and chromosome numbers of Araceae in Iriomote Island. Biological Magazine (Okinawa), 25, 1-11.
Grayum MH, 2003. Araceae. Manual of Plants of Costa Rica, Volume II: Gymnosperms and Monocotyledons (Agavaceae-Musaceae). pp. 59-200. (Araceae. Manual de plantas de Costa Rica. Vol. II. Gimnospermas y monocotiledóneas (Agavaceae–Musaceae) ). In: Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden , 92 [ed. by Hammel BE, Grayum MH, Herrera C , Zamora N]. 1-694.
National Parks Board, 2019. Flora & Fauna Web. Singapore: National Parks Board.https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb
PIER, 2019. Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk. In: Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA: HEAR, University of Hawaii.http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html
Distribution References
CABI, 2020. CABI Distribution Database: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Florence J, Chevillotte H, Ollier C, Meyer J-Y, 2013. Nadeaud botanical database of the Herbarium of French Polynesia. (Base de données botaniques Nadeaud de l'Herbier de la Polynésie Française (PAP))., https://nadeaud.ilm.pf/
Govaerts R, 2019. World Checklist of Arecaceae. London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Hong Kong Herbarium, 2018. Hong Kong Plant Database. Kowloon, Hong Kong, China: Hong Kong Herbarium. https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/home.aspx
Jørgensen P M, León-Yánez S, 1999. Catalogue of the vascular plants of Ecuador. 1182 pp.
PIER, 2019. Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA: HEAR, University of Hawaii. http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html
Tobar-Vargas A, Gavio B, Fernández JL, 2013. New records of plants for San Andres and Old Providence islands (International Biosphere Reserve Seaflower), Caribbean Colombia. Check List. 9 (6), 1361-1366.
Contributors
Top of page25/11/2019 Original text by:
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
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