Alocasia lancifolia
Family: Araceae
What it is like
A taro family plant. It is an erect robust herb. It has leaves that are long, large and upright. The leaves are mid green and with rather indistinct secondary veins. The leaves are oval and sword shaped. The base of the leaves has very small triangular lobes. The leaf like structure around the flower is bright green and barely opens. It becomes red and remains after the fruit appear. At the base of the plant is a corm made up of a fattened part covered with overlapping leaf bases. It has a lily type flower.
There are about 60-70 Alocasia species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows wild in some lowland rainforest areas in Papua New Guinea. It prefers damp soil and is often near flowing water.
Countries/locations it is found in
Pacific, Papua New Guinea
How it is used for food
The leaves are recorded as eaten in some areas.
A very minor wild edible food in Papua New Guinea. The leaves are occasionally eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves