Alocasia micholitziana

Alocasia micholitziana, commonly known as the green velvet taro or green velvet alocasia, is a plant in the family Araceae. It is endemic to the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant worldwide.[2]

Alocasia micholitziana
A cultivated A. micholitziana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Alocasia
Species:
A. micholitziana
Binomial name
Alocasia micholitziana

Taxonomy and etymology

edit

The species was first described by Henry Frederick Conrad Sander in 1912. It is named after the German plant collector Wilhelm Micholitz.[3]

Description

edit

Alocasia micholitziana grows to around 50 cm (1.6 ft) tall. It has 4 to 7 leaves. The petioles are about 45 cm (1.48 ft) long and are a mottled brownish, reddish, or purple in color. The leaf blades are a deep matte green in color with a velvety texture on the upper surface, and a paler green on the lower surface. They are sagittate (arrow-shaped) and are around 40 cm (1.3 ft) long and 13 cm (5.1 in) wide. The leaf veins are white in color on the upper surface. The leaf margins are strongly to mildly undulate. It is shallowly peltate.[2][3]

 
Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek'

They can bear up to 4 flowers together, each around 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The spathe is around 14 cm (5.5 in) and greenish in color. The spadix is shorter than the spathe and cream-colored.[2][3]

 
Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek' flower

Distribution and habitat

edit

Alocasia micholitziana is endemic to Apayao, Benguet and Ifugao in northern Luzon in the Philippines. It grows in shady areas in damp lowland forests.[3]

Uses

edit

The plant is easily propagated by stem cuttings and seeds and is a popular ornamental in both the local and international markets. It has produced several cultivars, the most popular of which is Alocasia micholitziana 'Frydek'.[3]

Conservation

edit

Alocasia micholitziana was formerly common in its native range but is now rare due to overcollection. It is classified as vulnerable in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[3] Harvesting wild specimens of A. micholitziana is illegal in the Philippines and is punishable with six to ten years imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 to 1,000,000.[4][5]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Fernando, Edwino S.; Co, Leonardo L.; Lagunzad, Daniel A.; Gruezo, William Sm.; Barcelona, Julie F.; Madulid, Domingo A.; Lapis, Aida B.; Texon, Gregorio I.; Manila, Antonio C.; Zamora, Prescillano M. (April 2008). "Threatened plants of the Philippines: A preliminary assessment". Asia Life Sciences (Supplement 3): 1–52.
  2. ^ a b c "Alocasia micholitziana Sander". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Madulid, Domingo A. (5 September 2015). "Alocasia micholitziana". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  4. ^ Grana, Rhia D. (24 September 2020). "Poachers, beware: Collecting these 10 plant species from the wild is against the law". ANCX. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  5. ^ Garcia, Teofilo Jr. (9 September 2020). "DENR-9 warns public vs. illegal collection of wild plants". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 25 December 2021.