Species in Collection
Rainforest Tour
Orchids
The
Exotic Rainforest
Plants in
the Exotic Rainforest Collection
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Alocasia
Amazonica
A hybrid of
Alocasia watsoniana x Alocasia sanderiana
A hybrid of
Alocasia watsoniana x Alocasia sanderiana
Alocasia
Amazonica
A hybrid of
Alocasia watsoniana x Alocasia sanderiana
Some sources indicate the parentage to be
Alocasia watsoniana x Alocasia nobilis
Alocasia watsoniana is correctly Alocasia longiloba
A hybrid of
Alocasia watsoniana x Alocasia sanderiana
Some sources indicate the parentage to be
Alocasia watsoniana x Alocasia nobilis
Alocasia watsoniana is correctly Alocasia longiloba
Confused with
Alocasia micholitziana
Sander
Known as
the African Mask or Green Velvet
Known commercially as Alocasia 'Frydek'
and sometimes as Alocasia 'Maxkowskii'
The specimen
in all the photos is a hybrid known as Alocasia Amazonica. The specimen is
not a species but is instead a hybrid created by human hands. Depending on
the source, this hybrid
was created by crossing
Alocasia watsoniana x
Alocasia sanderiana. Other
sources indicate the parentage to be
Alocasia watsoniana
x Alocasia nobilis.
It is likely different hybrids have been created by hybrids from both
sets of parents. To make this even more confusing, Alocasia watsoniana
has been correctly determined by one of the world's top
Alocasia
experts to be simply a natural variation of Alocasia longiloba.
That information was passed along in personal email forwarded from
Australian aroid botanist Alistair Hay.
The genus Alocasia
does not occur naturally in South America or the Amazon but is instead
native to Asia and portions of the Pacific Ocean. Aroid expert
Julius Boos in West Palm Beach, FL was able to learn the hybrid was
created and named by a nursery owner who during the 1930's and 1940's
owned a now defunct nursery in the Miami area. The nursery was
named "Amazon Nursery", thus the name which has since been applied to
this popular hybrid of Asian parents.
Alocasia Amazonica is often confused
with Alocasia micholitziana (mik-oh-lit-zee-AY-nuh)
which is often sold
commercially with the trade name Alocasia 'Frydek'.
The correct botanical name of that Alocasia sp. is Alocasia micholitziana
but some call it A. micholitziana "Frydek" while yet
others simply call it Alocasia "Frydek". "Frydek" appears
to be a name given to the plant by a plant tissue culture company who
wanted a unique trade name since the plant is commonly cloned and sold in
numerous nurseries and discount stores. Tissue culture is simply
cloning. As a result, this is a very confusing group of both
species and hybrid plants. I even found the specimen being sold
as Alocasia 'Maxkowskii'. I have no idea where that name
originated but it is likely the invention of another tissue culture
company who felt they had to have some name they could claim for
promotional purposes.
Besides, it sounds like a botanical name, even though it is not.
commercially with the trade name Alocasia 'Frydek'.
The correct botanical name of that Alocasia sp. is Alocasia micholitziana
but some call it A. micholitziana "Frydek" while yet
others simply call it Alocasia "Frydek". "Frydek" appears
to be a name given to the plant by a plant tissue culture company who
wanted a unique trade name since the plant is commonly cloned and sold in
numerous nurseries and discount stores. Tissue culture is simply
cloning. As a result, this is a very confusing group of both
species and hybrid plants. I even found the specimen being sold
as Alocasia 'Maxkowskii'. I have no idea where that name
originated but it is likely the invention of another tissue culture
company who felt they had to have some name they could claim for
promotional purposes.
Besides, it sounds like a botanical name, even though it is not.
An aroid, all
Alocasia reproduce via the production of an
inflorescence. When an Alocasia is "in flower" the
reference is to the tiny male and female flowers that grow on the
spadix at the center of the inflorescence. The spathe is not a
"flower" but instead is simply a
modified leaf. The spadix at the center vaguely resembles an
elongated pine cone. Once the female flowers on the spadix have
been fertilized by an insect they produce
berries. The berries are then eaten by birds
and rain forest animals that spread the seeds through their
droppings.
Recent reports from knowledgeable growers
indicate the true parent species are often found growing in very bright light, almost
direct sunlight. If grown in too low light the Alocasia often looses much of
its green color on the adaxial (upper) surface of the leaf and becomes almost
black. In low room light, especially without water, the specimen is
likely to
simply droop, loose the color, and die a slow death. However, it will grow well in medium filtered light.
simply droop, loose the color, and die a slow death. However, it will grow well in medium filtered light.
As a house plant, keep it near a bright window. If you wish to
grow Alocasia Amazonica in direct, or near direct sunlight, this plant
can require a great deal of water. However full sun may not be
advisable in some areas where the summer sun is extremely hot and
brilliant. The specimen can stand
as tall as 4 feet but typically is only 2 to 3 feet in height and the
leaves can be impressive. Native growers indicate it will
reach a more impressive height in brighter light.
Alocasia species,
especially hybrid forms, are
known to be extremely variable and not every leaf of every specimen
will always appear the same. This link explains in in
non-technical language natural variation and
morphogenesis in plant species.
Click
here.
The best growing media for this plant is a well
aerated soil that can drain quickly. You can duplicate this mix with a mix growers
often call "jungle mix" . You can make it yourself with a
good "moisture control" potting soil mixed with
bark, such as orchid potting media containing charcoal, coarse Perlite™,
gravel and peat
moss. A layer of loose mulch above the soil will give the roots a
natural place to spread. A mixture of approximately 40%,
20%, 20% and 20% of these components works well. Keep the soil
evenly damp but not soggy.
My thanks to Julius Boos, Australian Mic
Pascal and Bill Rotolante of Siliver Krome Gardens in Miami for their input into the information on this
page.
Aroid Pollination!
As
it occurs in nature and by any horticulturist
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