Leaves ovate-subcordate, up to 35 cm or more long. Spathe up to 40 cm long, yellow, spadix included.

Fl. Per.: apparently does not flower here. Propagated by its corms.

Distribution: Cultivated in the tropics everywhere, up to 2600 m.

“Elephants ear” is cultivated for its starchy tuberous corms, which when boiled lose their poisonous nature and can be eaten. The leaves are also edible and a source of vitamins A,B, and C. The juice from the corm and the petioles is medicinal, being used as a stimulant, rubifacient and as a styptic.