Of all the center - catching ornamental tree , few make a bolder financial statement than the majestic Elephant Ear Tree . Also have it away as the Roxburgh Fig , this distinctive evergreen plant bursts with immense , floppy leaves resembling elephant capitulum . Let ’s explore why the tropic Ficus auriculata has earn its hulk common name .
Introducing the Elephant Ear Tree
The Elephant Ear Tree ( Ficus auriculata ) , part of the fig genus , herald from India , Vietnam , Myanmar and southern China develop along streams and rivers , this tight - circulate tree can reach over 30 feet tall in its aboriginal home ground Its most defining feature of speech ? Enormous , heart - shaped leave measuring up to 21 inch recollective by 12 inches broad .
These dark green , leathery leave are borne alternately on long , sag stem Their prominent veins , pointy tips , and oversize “ earlobes ” at the base give Ficus auriculata leaf its unmistakable elephant ear mold When new leaves emerge , they unfurl in a enamour burgundy hue before maturing to green .
While evergreen in the tropics Elephant Ear Trees can shed leaves when temperatures duck below freezing . Multiple suave grey trunk often sprout from the base , split up as the tree diagram ages . Fig - like , eatable fruit ripen to yellow and send packing from branch junctions in summer .
Ideal Growing Conditions
Elephant Ear Trees relish ardent , frost - free climates with high humidity . They flourish in bright sparkle but can tolerate partial shade . Too much direct sunlight may singe leaves in red-hot , waterless areas . Rich , moist soil with good drainage keep trees happy .
These fast raiser need sizable space , as their branches spread widely with long time . In rime - free zone like USDA 10 - 11 , Elephant Ear Trees grow into impose , multi - trunked specimens . Container - grow industrial plant make lush patio focal points .
Indoors , containerize Ficus should be placed near humidifiers . minimal temperatures of 60 ° F are ask , as chilly drafts cause leaf drop . follow the huge folio onto paper for fun artistic creation projects with kids !
Care and Maintenance Tips
Elephant Ear Trees are relatively comfortable once established , needing only occasional pruning , watering , and fertilizing . Monitor unexampled plantings until root organization develop . Signs of under tearing include shriveling leaves and arm dieback .
Prune as demand to control size and shape . take out crossing or damage branch affluent with the trunk . Be ready to pick up mussy litter from the large , spreading leaves .
These vigorous growers send out surface roots , so allow ample quad between trees . Plant off from pool , patios , and foundations . Repot container plant when severely rootbound .
Natural Pest and Disease Resistance
Overall , Elephant Ear Trees have good resistance to insect and disease . Potential problems include :
Avoid overwatering and improve strain circulation to throttle pestis . Insecticidal soap or neem crude oil can control outbreaks on foliation . Tree normally recover well if problems are caught early .
Wildlife Value
The fig of Ficus auriculata fling food for various birds like hornbills , barbets , and royal pigeon . Deer also browse the vitamin - productive fruit .
Like most figs , Elephant Ear Trees rely on just one tiny specie of wasp for pollination . The female wasp enrol the common fig tree fruits to consist eggs , simultaneously spreading pollen to initiate semen development . Both tree and insect depend on each other to reproduce .
legion animals take shelter in the chalkboard - like branches , from at-bat to monkeys and snakes . Massive Elephant Ear Trees contribute authoritative wildlife home ground across Asiatic rainforests .
Landscape Uses
Thanks to its alien foliage , the Elephant Ear Tree brings drama to tender climate gardens . plant life one as a standout specimen or property screen . Groupings create sheer tropic effects alongside palms and bananas .
Frame an entryway with Elephant Ear Trees in declamatory urn . practice their huge leaves as living umbrellas or “ elephant ear ” flank a front room access . Train a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree over arbor and arbor for dappled wraith .
Let these natural beaut spread their magnificent leaf poolside . Or place containerized plants on terrace and decks for irresistible indoor - outdoor dash in hoarfrost - free zone .
Propagation and Availability
Elephant Ear Trees can be grown from seeds , but sprouting rate are often low . More dependable pick include air layering flexible branches or train stem cuttings of new growth . Grafting onto Ficus rootstalk is also potential .
Established Elephant Ear Tree can be pricy . hunt peculiarity cultivator for container offerings that earmark indoor overwintering until prominent enough to plant outside . Be aware of USDA hardiness limitations when sourcing .
Common Problems with Ficus auriculata
Despite their relatively trouble - free nature , there are some likely problem to follow for with Elephant Ear Trees :
Leaf cliff – Cool temperature , muster , and dry air cause foliage to disgorge . Improve conditions to trim back leaf loss .
Branch breakage – The large , floppy subdivision are prone to breakage , especially with years as trunks part . Prune for shape and reinforce heavy limbs .
encroaching etymon – Elephant pinna Trees develop aggressive surface root that lift pavement and foundations . Plant forth from structures .
Messy yield drop – advanced Libyan Islamic Fighting Group make risque splat on terrace and pools . Site trees appropriately or prune off unwanted yield .
Difficult indoor growing – amaze lush foliage growth can be a struggle indoors . Provide copious warmness , humidity , and shining light for best termination .
The Bottom Line on This Unique Tropical
Extremely rare outside of Asiatic rainforests , the Elephant Ear Tree offers alien architectural flair for tropic gardeners . grant ample space and warm , humid conditions , Ficus auriculata becomes a focal point spectacle know for its ginormous “ ear ” .
While these olympian trees require deliberate siting and some alimony , their wild beauty preponderate any challenges . Let the kingly Elephant Ear Tree reign your tropic haven !
There are pairs of leave on either side of a recollective stem on this tree diagram . The leaves grow in feathery shapes . The elephant ear tree sheds its leaves once a class , during ironic season . From January to May the tree diagram also bring about spherical clusters of lily-white flower . These flowers attract moth and beetles , until the flowers make way for ear - shape green fruit .
These unripe fruit are seed - filled pod that eventually miss to the land . Cattle help spread the semen by puncturing the pods with their hooves and releasing the seeds within . Elephant ear trees have a hard sentence reproduce because the seeds do n’t always get out , and the thorny air pocket mouse like to eat the tree diagram ’s unseasoned shoots .
humankind value the elephant ear tree diagram for its lumber . It is long-lasting and fungus resistant . Both the muggins and the fruit of the elephant ear tree are used in folk medicine .
Guanacaste Tree (Elephant Ear)
This tropic tree has an tremendous crown , with far - reaching branch that form a nearly perfect half - round . It has smooth grey bark with reddish cleft . Guanacaste trees , also known as elephant ear trees ( Enterolobium cyclocarpum ) , stand out in the landscape . Usually , you ’ll only see one growing in a sunny , candid field .
#72 elephant ear leaf plant
FAQ
What sort of tree has parting like Elephant ear ?
What does the catalpa tree look like ?
Where do elephant ear Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree produce ?
What is the name of the plant that looks like Elephant Ears ?
What are elephant ear plant ?
With over 200 cultivars to select from , elephant ear plant feature enceinte , heart - form leaves , make them an eye - get collector’s item for any garden . Elephant ears are the perfect selection of greenery for backyards , especially if you ’re going for a tropic feel . They also work well when grow alongside ferns in a Japanese - inspired dose garden .
What is an elephant ear ?
“ Elephant ear ” is a vernacular name that refers to several flora within the Araceae kinsfolk , primarily those in the Alocasia , Colocasia , and Xanthosoma genera , which are bed for their large , broad leaves . While Alocasia is one case of elephant ear , not all elephant ears are Alocasias .
Is elephant ear a perennial ?
Alocasia , known as Elephant Ear due to its heavy , dramatic leafage , is a genus of broad - give perennials native to tropical and semitropical Asia and Eastern Australia . Its striking display of unique , typically sheeny parting lends a striking tropic feel to gardens or interior spaces .
What is the serious flora to mature elephant ear ?
If you want your elephant ear to stand out from palisade plants , pick out Hilo Beauty . This cultivar create bombastic affection - shape leaves that are bright kelly greenish and covered in pale green blotches , giving them a paint appearance . The Hilo Beauty grows comfortably in shiny , collateral sunshine .
Which elephant ear cultivar has opprobrious leaves ?
Green elephant ear type are sensational , there ’s no two way about it . But the Black Magic cultivar ’s black leave will take your breathing place away . This elephant pinna cultivar was the first to have purple - black leaves . Black Magic elephant ears are impossible to drop , and the perfect finishing tactual sensation for your louche backyard zen garden .
Do elephant ear plants droop ?
This elephant ear is often grown as a houseplant , because of its stunning leaf and grim - maintenance nature . This is an elephant auricle that appreciates dampish dirt , as long as they are well - draining . If you point out your elephant ear ’s go away droop , then you ’ve in all likelihood overwatered it .
