From: "Eric Walton" <ewalton at hort.cri.nz> on 1997.08.12 at 14:32:38(1044)
Dear All
I am wondering if someone could help me with an identification of 'a
taro'.
Last week I was on holiday in Cairns, in north-eastern Queenland,
Australia. While visiting the local botanical gardens I saw a most
beautiful taro. The leaves were completely reddish purple in colour
with a mat finish. The leaves came out green, veins purple, and
turned green with age. The largest plants were about 2 feet tall. I
suspect the plant multiplies by offsets but perhaps also runners.
I was told by the Curator of the gardens that it was a cultivar of
Colocasia esculentum. Can anybody offer me more information than
that? Or better still a piece of the plant! I took a few photos but
they have not been developed as yet.
Should anybody be visiting Cairns, I recommend a visit. It is in
tropical Australia and (to my eye anyway!), it has wonderful
collections of aroids, palms and gingers in a well landscaped
setting.
Thanks in advance
Eric Walton
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