Elephant’s ear

Common name: Elephant's ear
Botanical name: Alocasia brisbanensis
Management programme: Advisory

Originates from Ceylon, Tahiti, and Eastern Australia. Introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental garden plant. Large leaves have the appearance of an Elephant’s Ear, hence the name.

Why is it a pest?

Elephant’s ear smothers the ground, preventing the regeneration of native species seedlings.
Shades out natural ground cover.
It readily recovers from heavy damage so can be difficult to control.
It is poisonous and avoided by stock.
Seed is spread by dropping near to parent plants, and occasionally through water dispersal.
It can be spread through intentional planting as an ornamental garden plant, dumped vegetation, and soil movement.

Where is it found?

Found throughout the Bay of Plenty region. Elephant’s ear is usually found in damp or wet waste areas, generally in frost free habitats.

What does it look like?

Large, long-lived, robust perennial up to 3m tall with a thick, fleshy rhizome and milky sap.
Large, shiny, green, leathery, arrow-shaped leaves (80 x 50cm) with prominent veins.
Fragrant creamy yellow spike of flowers (January to April) up to 6cm long, enclosed by a green boat-shaped bract, up to 15cm long. Scarlet to orange berries (10mm in diameter) contain 1–4 seeds.
Stems are trunk-like on mature plants, with leaf scars and often have lower part of the trunk lying along the ground.
Seeds drop near parent plants.
Can be mistaken for Taro (Colocasia esculenta) which has smaller leaves on stalks with a reddish-purple tinge.

What are the rules?

Advisory

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council does not enforce the control of advisory species. It is landowner/occupier responsibility to manage these pests. Council may provide advice on how to manage or control these species if required.