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Products > Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii'
 
Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' - Black Taro

Note: This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.  
Image of Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii'
[2nd Image]
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Tropical
Family: Araceae (Arums)
Origin: Polynesia (Pacific Ocean)
Evergreen: Yes
Red/Purple Foliage: Yes
Flower Color: White
Bloomtime: Infrequent
Height: 4-8 feet
Width: 4-5 feet
Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun
Irrigation (H2O Info): High Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F
May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes
Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' (Black Taro) - A tender herbaceous perennial that holds large dark green heart-shaped leaves on dark purple (almost black) stalks. Grows 4-6 feet tall and about 5 feet wide in wet soils or shallow water. It can be planted in saturated soil to 12" deep in the water. Calla-like white flower blooms are rarely seen. Plant in light shade with protection from wind. Although tender to 30-32° F, it will often resprout from the base. This is a Taro relative - All parts of Taro are poisonous, so the roots and leaves must be cooked properly before being eaten. Even if eaten when only partially cooked, it will burn the throat. 

The information about Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.

 
San Marcos Growers, established in 1979, will close at the end of 2025 so that the property can be developed for affordable housing.
 
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