Alocasia cucullata aka Buddha's Hand

Alocasia cucullata, or Chinese taro, belongs to the arum family, Araceae. Its native range includes Sri Lanka and the Himalaya. It extends into southern China and Indo-China. This evergreen perennial comes from the wet tropics. In southern China, it grows beside water and near fields. People also grow it there as a crop or ornamental.

Garden plants reach about 1.6–3.3 feet (0.5–1 metre) tall and wide. They form bushy clumps with upright stems that branch near ground level. The broad, glossy green leaves range from oval to heart-shaped. Each leaf can reach about 1.3 feet (0.4 metres) long. Plants take two to five years to reach full size. Flowers appear rarely, with a pale yellow spathe. The flowering spadix can give off heat as pollen matures. This strengthens its scent and helps draw insect pollinators.

Grow this tender plant indoors in bright light without direct sun. It also suits a greenhouse, conservatory, or sheltered summer display. Use peat-free houseplant compost with added perlite to aid drainage. It prefers soil rich in humus that stays moist but drains well. Loam and sandy soils suit it across a broad pH range. Water well from spring through autumn, then cut back in winter. Feed every two to three weeks during the growing season. A tray of damp pebbles beneath the pot helps provide humidity. Keep plants above 54°F (12°C). Its RHS hardiness rating is H1B, allowing summer outdoor use in Britain.

The broad leaves give this plant its main value for display. It needs no routine pruning. Divide plants in spring or summer to make more plants. Stem cuttings offer another method in spring. Watch for glasshouse red spider mites and mealybugs. The RHS reports few disease problems. Its need for warmth limits year-round outdoor use in cold climates.

All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic when eaten raw. These crystals can cause sharp pain in the mouth and throat. The plant can also irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves when handling it, and keep it from pets. People eat the corms in parts of India after thorough cooking. This recorded use does not make raw plant parts safe. Traditional external uses include treatment of abscesses, joint pain, and snakebite. These reports describe local practices, not proof that treatments work.