Elephant Ears
Year Introduced: 2011
Heredity: Hybrid
History: Royal Hawaiian series Colocasia developed as part of a breeding program headed by John J. Cho at the University of Hawaii, Kula. Out of respect for native beliefs about taro only non-Hawaiian cultivars are used.
Country of Origin: USA
Hybridizer or Originator: John J. Cho

Data specific to Elephant Ears (Colocasia) (Edit)
Plant habit: Clumping
Plant height: Medium (20-40 inches)
Leaf base: Peltate
Leaf form: Flat
Leaf surface (top of leaf): Glossy
Leaf color (top of leaf): Blackish
Petiole color: Blackish

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 7b -15 °C (5 °F) to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
Plant Height: 24 to 30 inches (61-75cm)
Plant Spread: 12 to 18 inches (30-46cm)
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Other: Coffee brown.
Flower Time: Other: Seasonal
Underground structures: Tuber
Suitable Locations: Bog gardening
Uses: Will Naturalize
Eating Methods: Cooked
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Humidity tolerant
Toxicity: Other: All parts of plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, an irritant to the mouth and esophagus. Toxic to cats and dogs.
Propagation: Seeds: Other info: Remove seed from berry which contains chemicals that inhibit germination.
Propagation: Other methods: Division
Offsets
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Miscellaneous: Patent/Plant Breeders' Rights: PP22,420 (2011)
Goes Dormant
Parentage: 2002-26 x 2005-51

Image
Trade name information:
Series: Royal Hawaiian®
Trade Name: Kona Coffee
Cultivar name: 'Kona Coffee'
Common names
  • Dwarf Elephant Ear
  • Elephant's Ear
  • Taro

Photo Gallery
Location: My Gardens, Nacogdoches, Tx
Date: 2022-10-01
Location: z6a MA, my garden
Date: 2013-08-07
Shaded parts of new leaves are vivid green for a while.
Location: z6a MA, my garden
Date: 2013-08-07
Dark Chocolate brown. ~30 inches tall. Nice tight clumper with lo
Location: Saint Helena Island, SC
Date: 2015-05-03
Location: Missouri Botanical Garden (Mobot) in St Louis
Date: 2016-06-18
This plant is tagged in:
Image

Comments:
  • Posted by eclayne (Pioneer Valley south, MA, USA - Zone 6a) on Mar 6, 2014 4:39 PM concerning plant:
    Another variety from John Cho's breeding program at the University of Hawaii, this is a small leaved EEar, think Caladium size. The leaves emerge an almost florescent green but quickly turn to a dark coffee brown. By planting several tubers together, you get a nice tight clump, no stolons that I noticed, that reached a bit over 3 feet for me in a sunny location. I've stored most of the tubers dry, in peat, over winter but am growing two on just in case. It was happy being treated to extra water and fertilizer like other Colocasia. I'm guessing this one will be around for quite some time because of its superior color, tight clumping habit, and leaf size, which will make it easier to place in the mid-bed area.

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