Caladium

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Caladium is a genus of plants of the family Araceae. They are often known by the common name elephant ear, which they share with the closely related genera Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma. Several species are grown as ornamental plants for their large, arrowhead-shaped leaves marked in varying patterns in white, pink, and red and have been in cultivation in Europe since the late 1700s. Most varieties in cultivation grow to about 60 cm high and 60 cm wide, although dwarf varieties are now in cultivation.

Related Topics:
Araceae - Alocasia - Colocasia - Xanthosoma - Ornamental plant - Europe - 1700s

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The two forms in cultivation are called "fancy-leaved" and "lance-leaved." The former is the more commonly seen and is the traditional caladium of cultivation; the leaves are more heart-shaped. The latter has more lance-head-shaped leaves.

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The genus Caladium includes many species, which are indigenous to Brazil and to neighboring areas of South America and Central America. They grow in open areas of the forest and on the banks of creeks and go dormant during the dry season.

Related Topics:
Brazil - South America - Central America - Forest

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Cultivars are known by the scientic name C. x hortulanum Birdsey. They are derived from C. bicolor and C. picturatum. The lance-leaved varieties are also derived from C. schomburgkii.

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