FlowerPotNursery Portodora Alocasia Alocasia sp. Portodora 4" Pot

Alocasia is a genus of broad-leaved rhizomatous or tuberous perennials from the family Araceae. There are 79 species native to tropical and subtropical Asia to Eastern Australia, and widely cultivated elsewhere.


The corms of some species can be processed to make them edible, but the raw plants contain raphid or raphide crystals of Calcium oxalate along with other irritants (possibly including proteases) that can numb and swell the tongue and pharynx; they cause difficulty in breathing, and sharp pain in the throat. The lower parts of the plant contain the highest concentrations of the poison. Prolonged boiling before serving or processing may reduce the risks, and acidic fruit such as tamarind may dissolve the raphides. However the species vary in toxicity, and it is dangerous to experiment with the edibility of any Alocasia.

Give credit where credit is due: Wikipedia 2021