Alocasia ( )

2 species in Aust. (1 endemic); Qld, NSW

Alocasia brisbanensis (F.M.Bailey) Domin

Large, erect, perennial herb with a stout tuberous rhizome which often later becomes an erect stem. Leaves basal, hastate-cordate, up to 90 cm long. Peduncle thick, spongy, 30–100 cm long. Spathe spoon-shaped, 15–20 cm long, greenish. Female flowers at the base of the spadix separated from the males by rudimentary flowers. Stamens usually 2. Ovary 1-locular, with few ovules. Berry ovoid, 4–8 mm long, with 3–4 seeds. Inflorescence strongly and sweetly scented. All parts of the plant contain an intensely acrid poisonous substance; the leaves especially causing severe pain and sometimes death. Coast. Moist forest; often in gardens. Cunjevoi or Spoon “Lily”