Alocasia wentii

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Alocasia wentii
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Alocasia
Species:
A. wentii
Binomial name
Alocasia wentii

Alocasia wentii is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae, native to the highlands of New Guinea. [1] [2]

Cultivation

Plants sold in the ornamental trade as Alocasia wentii (shown in photo) are likely hybrids between A. cuprea and A. odora. At the Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago Alocasia wentii kz1.jpg
Plants sold in the ornamental trade as Alocasia wentii (shown in photo) are likely hybrids between A. cuprea and A. odora. At the Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago

Plants sold in the ornamental trade as Alocasia wentii, commonly known as hardy elephant's ear, appear to be hybrids of other Alocasia species rather than the true species from New Guinea. [3] The true Alocasia wentii is a diminute species with dark green, sagittate leaves [4] , while cultivated plants have large peltate purple leaves. [3]

The purple-leaved plants appear to be hybrids of Alocasia cuprea and possibly Alocasia odora [3] [5] , are polyploid [6] and seemingly sterile [7] . They may be the same as Alocasia 'Uhinki' [5] , an artificial hybrid between these species created pre-1897 in the nursery of the Chantrier brothers in Mortefontaine, France. [8] Alocasia 'Uhinki' was subsequently misspelled "Alocasia whinkii" in nursery catalogues [9] , possibly resulting in its confusion with the similar-sounding Alocasia wentii. [5]

Variegated cultivars of this hybrid are also commercially available. [10] [11] [12]

References

  1. ↑ Courtney, Andrew (6 July 2021). "How To Care For Alocasia wentii". smartgardenguide.com. Smart Garden Guide. Retrieved 14 June 2022. ... common names, including "Purple giant Umbrella," "New Guinea Shield" and, encouragingly, "Hardy Elephant Ear."
  2. ↑ "Alocasia wentii Engl. & K.Krause". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 14 June 2022. (Mt. Hellwig, Star Mountains)
  3. 1 2 3 Burnett, D. (1984). "The cultivated Alocasia". Aroideana. 7 (3–4): 66–162.
  4. ↑ Hay, A.; Wise, R. "The genus Alocasia (Araceae) in Australasia". Blumea. 35: 499–545.
  5. 1 2 3 "Alocasia 'Uhinkii'". Aroidpedia. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  6. ↑ Ishida, G. (2001). "Karyomorphological observations on some Aroids cultivated in the Hiroshima Botanical Garden 1. Alocasia" (PDF). Bulletin of the Hiroshima Botanical Garden. 20: 1–33.
  7. ↑ "Alocasia wentii". Aroidia Research. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  8. ↑ Bois, M.D. (1897). "Compte rendu de l'Exposition d'Horticulture tenue dans le Jardin des Tuileries du 2 au 7 Juin 1897". Journal de la Société nationale d'horticulture de France. 1897: 662.
  9. ↑ Fantastic Gardens, Rare plant list: summer - 1952. South Miami, Florida, Fantastic Gardens. p. 4.
  10. ↑ "Alocasia wentii". The Royal Horticultural Society. 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022. 3 suppliers
  11. ↑ "Alocasia wentii 'Victory' (v)". The Royal Horticultural Society. 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Alocasia wentii 'Aline'PBR (v) elephant's ear plant 'Aline'". The Royal Horticultural Society. 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
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