Alocasia portei

Scientific name: Alocasia portei Schott

Family: Araceae

Distribution: Luzon to Mindanao. Endemic.

Habitat: In secondary and in remnant primary forests at low and medium altitude.

Description: Large, perennial, rhizomatous herb to 3.5 m tall. Trunk up to 1.5 m long, erect, cylindric, with tessellated bark. Mature leaf blade erect, ovate-sagittate, with deeply pinnatifid segments, the surface dark green, and the veins markedly light green; the margins ruffled and undulate. Inflorescence in clusters of up to 10 flowers at the center of the crown. Spathe dark green.

Conservation Notes: This is one of the two large native Alocasia species in the Philippines, the other species being the more widespread and common “giant gabi” (Alocasia macrorrhizos). It is less common in the forests than the “giant gabi” and is collected by plant hunters mainly for its ornamental leaves. It is easily propagated by stem cuttings and by seeds. Although it is native to the Philippines the plant is now propagated in nurseries abroad and is widespread. Forest destruction and over collection are threats to the species..

For further information contact: Domingo A. Madulid, Philippine National Museum, Botany Division, P. Burgos St., Manila. Tel. 5271218. Email: [email protected]