| Alocasia zebrina | |
|---|---|
| |
| Alocasia zebrina at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Florida | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Genus: | Alocasia |
| Species: | A. zebrina |
| Binomial name | |
| Alocasia zebrina Veitch ex J.Dix | |
| Synonyms | |
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Alocasia zebrina, commonly known as the zebra plant or zebrina alocasia, is a plant in the family Araceae. It is endemic to the islands of Luzon, Mindanao, Leyte, Samar, Biliran, and Alabat in the Philippines. It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant worldwide. It is also locally known as gabing tigre ("tiger taro") in Tagalog. It is nationally listed as a threatened species and collection of A. zebrina from the wild is illegal in the Philippines.
Taxonomy and etymology
Alocasia zebrina was first described by the British horticulturist John Gould Veitch in 1862 from specimens collected from the Philippines. It is named after its distinctive striped leaf stalks.
Description
Alocasia zebrina grows to around 1.8 m (6 ft) tall, but can reach 2.9 m (10 ft). It usually has several leaves with cataphylls. The petiole is around 1.1 m (3.6 ft) long and is pale green in color characteristically streaked with darker green to brown stripes, hence its common name. The leaf blade is arrow-shaped (sagittate), and around 45 to 100 cm (1.48 to 3.28 ft) long. It is bisected at the base into two triangular to ovate lobes. It is a rich glossy green with a leathery texture. The flowers are borne in pairs and are around 16 cm (6.3 in) long. The fruits are orange in color.
Distribution
Alocasia zebrina is endemic to the islands of Luzon, Mindanao, Leyte, Samar, Biliran, and Alabat in the Philippines. It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant worldwide.
Uses
The plant is easily propagated by stem cuttings and seeds and is a popular ornamental in both the local and international markets.
Conservation
Alocasia zebrina has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. But it is included in the National List of Threatened Species of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines. Harvesting wild specimens of A. zebrina is illegal in the Philippines and is punishable with six to ten years imprisonment and a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱1,000,000.
See also
- Alocasia sanderiana
- Alocasia micholitziana
- Alocasia nycteris
- Alocasia sinuata
- Alocasia heterophylla
- List of threatened species of the Philippines
References
- ^ "Alocasia zebrina Veitch ex J.Dix". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- "Alocasia zebrina Schott ex Van Houtte". International Plant Names Index. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
- ^ Briones, Niko Niño G.; Cuevas, Virginia C. (2013). "Role of Light in the Life Stages of Mt. Makiling Populations of Alocasia zebrina, An Endangered Philippine Plant Species". Philippine Journal of Science. 142 (3): 69–82.
- ^ Medecilo, Melanie P.; Madulid, Domingo A. (2013). "A Review of the Taxonomy and Taxonomic Characters of Philippine Alocasia (Schott) G. Don (Araceae)". Philippine Journal of Science. 142 (3): 145–157.
- ^ Garcia, Teofilo Jr. (9 September 2020). "DENR-9 warns public vs. illegal collection of wild plants". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- Dix, Joshua (1862). "Reports of the Floral Committee". Proceedings of the Royal Horticultural Society London. 2: 358–282, 451–460.
- ^ Leon, Gynelle (2021). Plant: House plants: choosing, styling, caring. Hachette UK. ISBN 9781784727666.
- "Elephant's Ear (Alocasia zebrina 'Tigrina Superba')". garden.org. National Gardening Association. 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ Hay, A (1999). "The genus Alocasia (Araceae-Colocasieae) in the Philippines". The Garden's Bulletin, Singapore. 51 (4): 1–41.
- 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.