Description They are herbaceous perennial plants with a large corm on or just below the ground surface. The leaves are large to very large, long, with a sagittate shape. The elephant's-ear plant gets its name from the leaves, which are shaped like a large ear or shield. The plant reproduces mostly by means of rhizomes (tubers, corms), but it also produces "clusters of two to five fragrant inflorescences in the leaf axils".Brown, Deni. 2000. Aroids. Plants of the Arum Family. Timber Press, Oregon. p. 250. Like other members of the family, the plant contains an irritant which causes intense discomfort to the lips, mouth and throat. This acridity is caused in part by microscopic needle-like raphides of calcium oxalate monohydrate. It must be processed by cooking, soaking or fermenting – sometimes along with an acid (lime or tamarind) – before being eaten.
description they are herbaceous perennial plants with a large corm on or just below the ground surface the leaves are large to very large long with a sagittate shape the elephant's-ear plant gets its name from the leaves which are shaped like a large ear or shield the plant reproduces mostly by means of rhizomes (tubers corms) but it also produces "clusters of two to five fragrant inflorescences in the leaf axils"brown deni 2000 aroids plants of the arum family timber press oregon p 250 like other members of the family the plant contains an irritant which causes intense discomfort to the lips mouth and throat this acridity is caused in part by microscopic needle-like raphides of calcium oxalate monohydrate it must be processed by cooking soaking or fermenting – sometimes along with an acid (lime or tamarind) – before being eaten