Elephant Ear Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'
ABOUT
The plant known as 'Black Magic' is a breathtaking cultivar with striking foliage. Its leaves are its most notable feature, with a dark, purplish-black color that appears almost velvety, providing a dramatic contrast to the more common greenery in gardens. The leaves are large and heart-shaped, with a glossy texture that can shimmer in the sunlight. As the leaves unfurl, they reveal veins that can be seen in a lighter tone, providing an intricate network-like pattern that adds to the plant's unique visual appeal. The stems supporting these leaves are equally dark, contributing to the overall mystique and exotic allure of the plant. 'Black Magic' can create an enchanting focal point in gardens due to its dark and unusual coloring, making it a popular choice for those looking to add a touch of the dramatic to their planting arrangements.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Araceae
Synonyms
Black Magic Taro, Black Elephant Ear, Black Taro, Purple-stemmed Taro
Common names
Colocasia antiquorum 'Black Magic', Colocasia fontanesii 'Black Magic'
ToxicityTo humans
Taro, including the cultivar 'Black Magic', contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and a burning sensation in the mouth and throat if ingested raw. Symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, swelling of the throat can impair breathing. Cooking taro adequately can reduce its toxicity.
To pets
Taro is toxic to pets due to calcium oxalate crystals. Ingestion can result in oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. If a pet consumes taro, contact a veterinarian immediately.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Purple
Height
3-6 feet (0.91-1.83 meters)
Spread
2-4 feet (0.61-1.22 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8-11
Native area
Southeast Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The 'Black Magic' variety of Taro offers striking dark purple, nearly black foliage, which can add dramatic contrast and interest to garden settings or indoor spaces.
- Easy to Grow: Taro is a relatively easy plant to care for as long as it is given the right conditions, making it suitable for gardeners of different skill levels.
- Adaptability: It can grow in a variety of conditions, including standing water, making it suitable for ponds and water gardens as well as traditional garden beds.
- Humidity Lover: Taro 'Black Magic' thrives in humid conditions, making it an excellent choice for often challenging damp or waterside landscapes.
- Shade Tolerance: This plant can tolerate and even prosper in part shade conditions, offering versatility for garden design in less sunny spots.
- Texture in Landscaping: The large, broad leaves provide a unique textural element to landscaping, complementing plants with finer foliage.
- Erosion Control: Taro can be used in areas susceptible to erosion, especially near water bodies, as its roots help to stabilize the soil.
- Culinary Use: While not a benefit of the ornamental 'Black Magic', the species Colocasia esculenta is cultivated worldwide for its edible corms and leaves in many cultures.
- Wildlife Attraction: The plant can serve as a habitat and food source for various wildlife, including insects and amphibians, enhancing biodiversity.
- Seasonal Interest: Taro 'Black Magic’ can provide visual interest throughout the growing season due to its persistent foliage.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ornamental Water Feature: Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic', commonly known as Taro, can be planted in shallow water to create a dramatic, dark foliage contrast in water gardens or koi ponds.
- Photography Backdrops: The large, dark leaves of Taro provide a lush, tropical background for portrait and macro photography, accentuating the subject with their deep colors.
- Privacy Screens: When planted in a row or clustered, Taro can form a natural privacy screen for patios or garden spaces, due to its dense and tall growth habit.
- Creative Culinary Presentation: Chefs may use the distinctive, large leaves as a natural plate or underlining for exotic dishes, offering an appealing aesthetic for gourmet presentations.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists and designers may draw inspiration from the unique color and texture of Taro leaves for patterns and motifs in fashion, textiles, or graphic design work.
- Education and Research: Taro plants can be cultivated and studied in educational settings for lessons on botany, especially in the context of discussing ornamental plant breeding and horticulture.
- Shade for Smaller Plants: The towering leaves of the Taro plant can provide beneficial, intermittent shade for smaller, more delicate plants that require protection from intense sunlight.
- Thematic Landscaping: Taro is often used in landscaping to complement Asian-themed gardens or to create a sense of the tropical jungle in a temperate climate.
- Natural Pesticides: Taro roots can be researched and potentially developed into natural pest repellent products, as some cultures have historically used parts of the plant for this purpose.
- Biodegradable Craft Material: Dried Taro leaves can serve as natural, biodegradable material for creating crafts like decorative fans or temporary eco-friendly art installations.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe taro plant is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe taro plant is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Mystery and Sophistication: The dark, almost black leaves of the Elephant Ear's 'Black Magic' variety give it an air of mystery and elegance, associating it with sophistication and the unknown.
- Fertility and Abundance: Elephant Ears, in general, are often linked to fertility and abundance because of their large, lush leaves and rapid growth.
- Adaptability and Resilience: Given the plant's ability to thrive in various conditions, it can symbolize adaptability and resilience in the face of change.
- Protection: The large leaves of Elephant Ear plants have been thought to provide shelter and protection; thus, they can represent a safe haven or guardianship.
- Tropical Beauty: Originating from tropical regions, the Elephant Ear 'Black Magic' symbolizes exotic beauty and the allure of the tropics.
WaterElephant Ear 'Black Magic' should be watered generously, ensuring the soil is consistently moist but not waterlogged. During active growth in the warmer months, water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically once or twice a week. You may need to provide approximately 1 to 2 gallons per week, depending on the size of the plant and environmental conditions. In winter, reduce watering frequency, but never let the soil completely dry out. Drainage is crucial to prevent root rot, so water thoroughly until excess water flows from the drainage holes.
LightElephant Ear 'Black Magic' thrives best in partial shade to filtered sunlight. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight as it can scorch the leaves. An ideal spot would be an area that receives bright but indirect light for several hours a day, such as under a canopy of trees or beside a window with sheer curtains.
TemperatureElephant Ear 'Black Magic' prefers warm conditions and should be kept in an environment where temperatures range between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be exposed to temperatures below this as it can lead to growth problems or even plant death.
PruningPruning Elephant Ear 'Black Magic' is essential to remove any yellow or damaged leaves and to promote healthy growth. Prune as necessary throughout the growing season using clean, sharp scissors or pruners. The best time for extensive pruning is in the spring before the new growth starts.
CleaningAs needed
SoilElephant Ear 'Black Magic' thrives in a soil mix with good drainage, consisting of equal parts peat, perlite, and garden loam. Maintain a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.0 for optimal growth and foliage coloration.
RepottingElephant Ear 'Black Magic' needs to be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when the plant becomes root-bound and begins to outgrow its container.
Humidity & MistingElephant Ear 'Black Magic' prefers a high humidity environment, ideally between 60% to 75%, to mimic its natural tropical habitat.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place 'Black Magic' in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant 'Black Magic' in partial shade, keep soil moist.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life of the 'Black Magic' taro begins with the germination of corms or rhizomes once they are planted in warm, moist soil. After germination, the seedling stage is marked by the emergence of the first few leaves, which are typically green before maturing to their characteristic deep purple or black color as the plant enters the vegetative stage. During this stage, 'Black Magic' taro focuses on leaf growth and the development of a strong root system. As it matures, the plant may produce inflorescences, though flowers are often insignificant and the plant is mainly grown for its striking foliage. After a few months to a year, depending on conditions, the taro enters the dormancy stage during cooler weather, where growth slows or stops, and the foliage may die back. The plant can then regenerate from the corms the following season, repeating its life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic', commonly known as Black Magic Taro, is often propagated through division, which is the most popular method. To propagate Black Magic Taro, you should ideally do so in the spring as the plant comes out of dormancy. You start by gently digging up the tubers and brushing off the soil. Using a sharp knife, you can divide the tuber, ensuring that each section has at least one growth point or "eye." These sections can then be potted in individual containers filled with a well-draining soil mix and kept warm and moist to encourage growth. It's essential not to overwater, as this can lead to rot. New growth will typically appear in a few weeks, signaling successful propagation.
