Family: Araceae
Alocasia cucullata, commonly known as dwarf elephant ear, Chinese ‘ape, or Chinese taro, is a tropical aroid prized for its striking, heart-shaped leaves held on tall, upright stems. Native to Asia, it is often planted as an ornamental for its lush, architectural look. In Hawaiʻi, this species is only found in cultivation on Kauaʻi but has become naturalized on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island, where it is spreading beyond garden plantings into natural areas. Its tolerance for shade and moisture allows it to establish in forests, streambanks, and other sensitive habitats.
Because of its ability to spread and persist, Alocasia cucullata has the potential to displace native plants and alter understory communities. Once established, it could form dense clusters that crowd out other vegetation, making management difficult. While it remains a popular landscape plant, caution is advised when planting near natural areas, as its escape into the wild is already evident across multiple islands. Gardeners are encouraged to consider less invasive alternatives to reduce the risk of further spread.
High Risk Traits:
- Climate Match: Highly suited to tropical/subtropical climates.
- Introduction History: Repeatedly introduced globally for cultivation.
- Naturalized: Established outside its native range.
- Toxic: Contains calcium oxalate; poisonous if ingested.
- Disease Host: Harbors pathogens that affect related crops.
- Vegetative Spread: Reproduces easily from rhizomes, suckers, and small fragments.
- Human Dispersal: Spread intentionally as an ornamental and unintentionally via soil movement.
- Water Dispersal: Corm fragments can be dispersed by water.
- Disturbance-Tolerant: Thrives after mutilation or soil disturbance.
Low Risk Traits:
- No Physical Defenses: Lacks spines, thorns, or burrs.
- Non-Allelopathic: No evidence of inhibiting other plants.
- Low Seed Production: Rarely produces fruit or seeds.
- Specialist Pollination: Requires specific flies for sexual reproduction.
