Alocasia brisbanensis aka Cunjevoi

Alocasia brisbanensis is part of the arum family, Araceae. It comes from northern and eastern Queensland. Its range also takes in eastern New South Wales. The RHS places its wild home in eastern Australian rainforests. This plant lives for years and stays green year-round. It grows from rhizomes, or underground stems, in bushy clumps. People grow it chiefly for its bold leaves.

Plants reach about 3.3–4.9 feet (1–1.5 metres) tall and wide. They take two to five years to reach full size. The large, glossy leaves look like spades and have rippled surfaces. The leaves and the stems that hold them are dark green. These broad leaves give the plant a strong outline. It suits schemes that place leaf shape ahead of flowers.

The blooms have a scent and appear in summer. They are green and cream against the dark leaves. They look like the blooms of an arum lily. Once the flowers fade, red berries grow in groups along spikes. The plant keeps its leaves all year. This makes it useful for long-term leaf displays indoors.

For indoor plants, the RHS advises bright light but no direct sun. Use peat-free houseplant compost and mix perlite through it. Water well from spring through autumn, then water less in winter. Feed with a general liquid fertiliser while the plant grows. Do this every two to three weeks. The plant also needs high humidity, or moist air. A tray of damp gravel beneath the pot can help. The RHS says to keep indoor plants above 15°C. Its H2 hardiness rating means it cannot survive a freeze. Outdoor sites need shelter. The RHS lists sun or part shade for outdoor growth. Soil must drain well. It can be acid, neutral or alkaline.

This plant suits pots, conservatories and greenhouses. It brings bold leaves to sheltered beds and courtyards, too. Its form suits informal gardens and subtropical planting. You do not need to prune it as routine care. To grow more plants, divide the offsets at the base. Aphids and caterpillars may attack it, but disease is rare. Do not eat any part of this plant. The RHS warns that it is toxic when eaten. The RHS also lists it as toxic to pets. Contact can irritate your skin and eyes. Wear gloves and other protection when you handle it.