Alocasia also commonly called upright elephant ears are a group of plant in the araceae family. This family is also known as aroids. Many plants fall under the elephant ear name but some of the largest growers are Alocasia. Many of these large species and hybrids have giant hastate like leaves that point upward some growing 4 to 5 feet long. Many of the larger species will form tuberous like trunks with age. Not to be over looked is the smaller often more colorful species and hybrids some refereed to as the jewels species. These have some of the most unique foliage of any plants in the world. Ranging from velvet with white veins to shinny metallic like leaves. If foliage if what you like Alocasia plants are a must for the garden.