Elephant Ear (Wild Taro) Identification & Treatment

Scientific Name: Colocasia esculenta Category: Emergent Tier: 3 — Localized — Limited geographic range or lower frequency

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Identification

Elephant ear has very large (up to 2+ feet), arrowhead or heart-shaped leaves on long stalks. Leaves are velvety and held above water, pointing downward. A tropical escapee from ornamental plantings. Key distinguishing features:

• Very large, arrow/heart-shaped leaves
• Velvety leaf surface
• Leaf notch (sinus) points downward
• Tropical appearance

Treatment

• Glyphosate 5.4 — Applied to foliage.
• Clearcast (imazamox) — Systemic option.
• Physical removal including rhizomes.

Full Profile

• Native Range: Southeast Asia
• US Distribution: Southeastern US, Gulf Coast. USDA Zones 8–11.
• Regulatory Status: Listed as invasive in several southern states. Not federally listed.
• Habitat: Pond and stream margins, wetlands, ditches. Requires warm temperatures.
• Reproduction: Corms, rhizomes, and small tubers.
• Ecological Benefits: Limited in invaded habitats. Forms dense stands that exclude native vegetation.

Sources: Texas A&M AquaPlant – Elephant Ear | USDA PLANTS Database

Related Species

• Cattails (Typha latifolia (broadleaf), T. angustifolia (narrowleaf), T. × glauca (hybrid)) — Emergent, Tier 1
• Phragmites (Common Reed) (Phragmites australis subsp. australis (invasive) vs. P. australis subsp. americanus (native)) — Emergent, Tier 1
• Creeping Water Primrose (Ludwigia spp. (L. peploides, L. grandiflora, L. repens)) — Emergent, Tier 1
• Dollar Weed (Pennywort) (Hydrocotyle spp. (H. umbellata, H. ranunculoides, H. verticillata)) — Emergent, Tier 2
• Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) — Emergent, Tier 2
• Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus) — Emergent, Tier 3

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