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COLOCASIA

Colocasia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. They are commonly known as elephant ears or taro plants. The plants are native to tropical regions of Asia and Polynesia, and are widely cultivated as ornamental plants for their large, heart-shaped leaves and interesting growth habit.

The leaves of Colocasia plants are typically large, ranging in size from 20 to 90 cm long, and are borne on tall, sturdy stems. The leaves are typically green, but may also have variegations of white, yellow, or purple. The plants can grow up to 2 meters tall in ideal conditions.

Colocasia plants grow from rhizomes, which are underground stem structures that store food and water for the plant. The rhizomes are edible and are commonly used in cooking, particularly in Asian cuisine.

The flowers of Colocasia plants are not particularly showy, but are borne on tall spikes and have a distinctive structure. They are surrounded by a large, funnel-shaped spathe that is usually green or white, and a finger-like spadix that contains the tiny, inconspicuous flowers. The flowers are pollinated by insects, particularly beetles and flies.