Plants of Cloudbridge

Xanthosoma robustum (Elephant ear)

Description: ..The inflorescence iconsists of a spadix or stalk (male flowers on top, female flowers on the bottom and a string of sterile flowers in between) and a spathe, or modified leaf that covers the spadix.

Natural history: The elephant Ear is an Aroid, and like a number of Aroids it is capable of generating its own heat. Unlike any other known plant, however, it can also regulate the time of its heating up. Studies at Monteverde suggest that the mechanism is triggered by light. Morning light will signals the inflorescence to begin heating -- at approximately 18:00h the spadix reaches up to 42 degrees Celsius, and releases a strong scent that attracts scarab beetles. The beetles enter the inflorescence chamber and remain there for about 24 hours. The pollen that the beetle carries rubs off and pollinates the female flowers. The beetles mate and consume the sterile flowers. When climbing back out of the chamber, pollen from the male flower rubs off on the beetles for them to fly to the next open inflorescence for the process to begin again.

Distribution: Alongside trails and near water. Found in Costa Rica at a wide range of elevations, from the Osa lowlands to 1600m on Cloudbridge and at Monteverde. Also ranges from Mexico to Panama.

How to recognize: It has big leaves. Really big.

Uses: Emergency umbrella.

Sources and Links:
INBio description
other

Scientific Information:

Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)

Class: Liliopsida (Monocots)

Order:

Family: Araceae (Arum or Aroid family)

Species: Xanthosoma robustum Schott

Photo Identification Guide: Xanthosoma robustum (Elephant ear)

Leaves. The leaves are big

Flowers. ..

Fruit and Seeds. ..

Form. ..

Other. ... Belize - Toledo: , 13 May 1997, Gerrit Davidse 36369 (BRH, MO, UB). Costa Rica - Puntarenas: 50 - 450 m, 17 October 1990, Abelardo Chacón 1079 (INB, MO). El Salvador - Cabanas: 870m, 21/1/98, Gerrit Davidse, Karen Sidwell & Alex Monro 37104 (MO). Guatemala - Izabal: Montañas del Mico 600 - 650 m, 19 Aug 1988, W.D. Stevens, E. Martinez S., H. Droege & A.N. Díaz 25545 (MO). Mexico - Chiapas: , Feb. 16, 1984, Burnham & Grant 70 (BM). Nicaragua - Jinotega: 1250 - 1300 m, 10 June 1981, J.E. Henrich & W.D. Stevens 262 (MO). Panama - Bocas del Toro: 1200 m, 11 March 198, T.B. Croat & M.H. Grayum 60321 (MO).

Cloudbridge: Bridging a Costa Rican cloud forest

Division:	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class:	Liliopsida (Monocots)
Order:
Family:	Araceae (Arum or Aroid family)
Species:	Xanthosoma robustum Schott