Alocasia, often known as elephant-ear or the African mask plant, is a large-leaved tropical that is typically planted outside during the summer.
However, you may even use it as a houseplant or grow it in a pot indoors. The elephant -ear plant gives practically any landscape setting a strikingly tropical appearance.
These plants are frequently grown for their enormous, tropical-looking foliage that resembles elephant ears. Elephant ear plants are useful as edging, ground coverings, and background plants, particularly around ponds, along pathways, and in patio enclosures.
Medical Uses.
The elephant Ear plant is use on infected wounds, it is stated that macerated leaves can be applied as a poultice.
- The stem leaves can be cut and applied to the stung region to treat insect stings and reduce pain and swelling.
- Vitamin C, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and niacin are all abundant in the young leaves.
- The tubers are loaded in carbohydrates and have amino acid content.
Culinary Uses
The edible corm and leaves of Elephant’s ear are the major uses of the plant.
The plant’s irritant in its raw state gives the lips, mouth, and throat extreme acridity discomfort.
This is because the plant cells contain calcium oxalate and tiny, needle-shaped raphides.
Therefore, before eating, both the leaves (of which the veins should be carefully removed) and the corms (whose skin should be removed and steeped in cold water overnight) must be thoroughly cooked. All portions of the plant are edible and delightful as long as the aforementioned safety measures are followed.
- The leaves and stalks can be pre-boiled before being combined with other ingredients and added to curries, soups, stir-fries, and casseroles.
The stems add a pleasing texture.
- The stems add a pleasant texture to any dish.
The corms can be added to the same hot recipes, but they are also delicious as a roast/boiled vegetable or chopped into chips on their own.
Cooked corms are also popular in desserts. Photo Credit: Eric Svendson