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Elephant Ear

Colocasia esculenta

Other Common Names

Taro

Plant Category

Aquatic, Perennial

Invasive Description

Elephant Ears were originally introduced from tropical Asia in 1910 as a substitute crop for potatoes and later were sold for landscaping. It is a perennial plant that can grow to 4 ft. tall. The arrowhead-shaped leaf blades can grow to 24 in. long and 20 in. wide. It is common in local residential and urban areas. It has naturalized along banks of bayous and lakes within the Lower Galveston Bay watershed, extending west to the Llano River (among others).

Ecological Threat

Elephant Ear plants outcompete or completely eliminate native species, thus altering natural habitats and ecosystems, especially in riparian areas. Disturbance greatly encourages growth and facilitates the plant’s spread. Plantings alongside water bodies are a primary pathway that can result in spread. Root and stem fragments can float downstream to form new infestations.

You may not want or need to replace this invasive plant, but if you do, options are listed below.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions
Additional Replacement Options: Canna glauca