Alocasia brisbanensis aka Cunjevoi

Taxonomy

Alocasia brisbanensis, also known as cunjevoi or spoon lily, is a species of rhizomatous evergreen perennial plant in the family Araceae. Native to the rainforests of eastern Australia, this foliage plant features large, rippled, spade-shaped dark green glossy leaves on dark green stems. It produces fragrant green-cream flowers in the summer, resembling the arum lily, and clusters of red berries on spikes after flowering. Alocasia brisbanensis, commonly referred to as Elephant Ears, is a popular houseplant, although it can grow to enormous sizes when cultivated outdoors. It typically supports a few leaves at a time, with older leaves retiring as new ones emerge. This plant grows from underground corms, similar to bulbs, which may produce baby Alocasias during repotting. It is important to keep this plant out of reach of children and pets, as it contains calcium oxalate crystals. The common name "cunjevoi" originates from the Bundjalung language spoken in northern New South Wales.

Common names

Cunjevoi

How to care for Cunjevoi

Water

Cunjevoi should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Cunjevoi loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Cunjevoi prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Cunjevoi plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Humidity

The Cunjevoi does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

Once the Cunjevoi has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Cunjevoi’s native range is tropical and subtropical Asia and Eastern Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia