Colocasia esculenta Black magic

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic', also known as Elephant's Ear or Taro, is a spectacular variety. Forming a lush clump with the appearance of a tropical plant, it is simply stunning, draped in ample pleated foliage in a very dark, almost black, plum colour. This amazingly hardy perennial can be grown as an indoor plant or in the garden with winter protection, in fertile, moist to damp soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Originating from India, the Colocasia esculenta, also known as Edible Taro, has long since spread to tropical regions of South America and Oceania, and later to tropical Africa. This rhizomatous perennial plant is a cousin of Arums and Ipomoeas, and belongs to the Araceae family. The 'Black Magic' cultivar is an imposing herbaceous perennial plant, developing from a tuberous rhizome, forming a scaly corm covered with thick skin. The mature plant will reach an average height of 1.6m (5ft) and a diameter of 1.2m (4ft) and consists of magnificent, elongated heart-shaped, violet to dark purple leaves, covered with a bluish bloom. The leaf blade can reach 70cm (28in) in length and 50cm (20in) in width, carried by a long black to violet petiole, sheathing at the base. The leaf surface allows water to slide off with its good water-repellent properties. During its growth, the plant branches out from the base, which allows it to remain compact. If you remove an old leaf, two new ones take its place.

In the garden or indoors, Colocasia 'Black Magic' is easy to grow. It enjoys a sunny or partially shaded exposure and proves hardy down to -8/-10°C (17.6/14°F) under a thick protective mulch, quite an achievement for a tropical plant! It stands out as a focal point in a contemporary or exotic setting, whether planted on a terrace in a large container or on the edge of a pond. This voracious plant gets along well with Arums, banana plants, or tree ferns, whose magnificence recalls ancient forests.

Taro is consumed in Africa, China, Polynesia, and several other parts of the world. Its tubers are rich in starch, and its young leaves are eaten like spinach.