Alocasia odora

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Plant
ID 1342 Alocasia odora
Botanic Name Alocasia odora
Common Name Sweet Alocasia, Night-Scented Lily
Family Name Araceae
Cultivars 'California'
Origin North East India, Burma, Zone 9-11
Growth Type Perennial
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use High
No. of Species 6
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Fast
Height 0.8 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft) Spread 1.5 m (5 ft)
Plant Overview
This large rhizomatous perennial has a stout dark green trunk with long stalked large arrow-shaped glossy green leaves. Throughout the year fragrant green spathes appear followed by reddish fruit.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Ovate
The very large leaves are up to 1.5 m (60 in) long and are ovate with a sagittate base. They have a cylindrical, erect or spreading petiole up to 1m (3ft) long. The undersides are heavily veined and the texture is leathery but easily damaged by wind.
Arrangement Spiral
Margin Undulate
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 1000 - 1500 mm ( 39.4 - 59.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Fragrant Additional Information
Shape
The flowers are produced in a fragrant leaf-like spathe that is up to 40 mm (1 5/8 in) long on a stem up to 140 mm (5 ½ in). In warm climates the flowering period is sporadic throughout the year but generally it is during summer.
Inflorescence Spadix
Colour Green
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Berry Additional Information
Colour Red
The small orange-red berry is produced in clusters that appear like corn on a cob. The seeds are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 4 - 6 mm ( 0.2 - 0.2 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained fertile deep moist sandy to light clay loams, rich and organic
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes, under glass in frost prone or cold climates
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun to shade, wind protected humid position, drought and frost tender
Pest & Diseases Leaf spot, root rot fungi, leaf burn in cold conditions, mealybugs
Fertiliser Add organic matter to the soil during spring, mulch in winter and keep moist during summer
Pruning Remove spent and yellowing foliage, cut back as required to contain during spring
Cultural Uses Propagation
Sweet Alocasia is a large plant that is grown for its foliage and is planted in tropical gardens around water features and as a glasshouse specimen in cold climates. It tolerates cooler weather and may be grown in boggy to wet soils.
Sow fresh seed and maintain a temperature of 19 to 24 C (66 to 77 F). Divide established clumps (rhizome) or offsets during spring.
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