Alocasia Amazonica (aka Polly, aka Poly)

[pavel]

This plant has a rather confused history. No one seems to be 100% sure who first created this hybrid nor what its name should actually be. All three names in the title have been used. Had one of these before that I managed to kill in just a few months. This one is a rescue from a BBS and has survived in my care for over a year now -- I even have a few "babies" to get rid of.

Much to my surprise, the main plant actually bloomed for me. Like most arums, the flower was nothing much to look at, but it was the thought that counted.

[gabi_borza]

Very nice Pavel! Is it fragrant? Many years ago I had a Alocasia macrorrhiza, and the fragrance of the flower was...very bad actually.

[opaline]

Wow, love the optical illusion, dynamic lighting and magic in the foliage in the last photo. Alocasia is sure an unappreciated beauty!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

The foliage on your Alocasia Amazonica is really amazing.

cheers,
BD

[pavel]

Very nice Pavel! Is it fragrant? Many years ago I had a Alocasia macrorrhiza, and the fragrance of the flower was...very bad actually.

Sorry, Gabi, never got around to answering your Q. Never noticed any fragrance from this one. Now there is of course the possibility that I simply wasn't there at the right time or that my nose is not sensitive to the scent, I suppose. Either that or I got lucky and this particular Alocasia is "fragrance free".

Btw, for those who may be interested, this is a pic of the upper surface of a leaf.

[PhilsDC]

Alocasia x amazonica is a man-made hybrid between two Alocasia species: Alocasia sanderiana (Philippines) and Alocasia longiloba (Malaysia).

Alocasia "Polly" is another clone of Alocasia x amazonica.

The name Alocasia x amazonica is considered an invalid scientific or horticultural name, the name was not even registered or patented.

Regardless of its name and origin, the plant is beautiful houseplant.
I have this at home but it is damaged by moth caterpillars, slugs and snails.

[Halloamey]

Beautiful Alocasia, but I see hypocrisy on your part Pavel LOL, you always want to grow and have miniature cattleyas, what about it now, this must be a monster when compared to the minicatts right?? (just kidding)

[pavel]

The name Alocasia x amazonica is considered an invalid scientific or horticultural name, the name was not even registered or patented.
I have this at home but it is damaged by moth caterpillars, slugs and snails.

Thanks for posting that info, Derek. I had read that before, but was feeling too lazy to go back and look it all up to post.

Back when I wasn't feeling so lazy, I actually researched this hybrid a bit. I recall reading -- in a couple articles -- that the original hybridizer was a grower in Florida whose nursery had the name "Amazon Nursery". This was the origin of the "Amazonica" in the name. However, as Derek pointed out, the name was never registered nor patented. Additionally, that alleged original grower has long since passed away. So we will never know with absolute certainty it seems just who originally created this hybrid.

Here is a link to an article I had found (after overcoming my bout of 'slacking') for any who may be interested: Alocasia Amazonica (not a species), Alocasia x amazonica, Alocasia mortefontanensis Andr, Alocasia Poly, not 'Polly', Exotic Rainforest rare tropical plants

Fortunately, Derek, since I grow mine indoors, caterpillars have not been an issue nor have snails/slugs. Much to my surprise, I didn't have any issues with mites -- a major pest during the dry winter months.

Beautiful Alocasia, but I see hypocrisy on your part Pavel LOL, you always want to grow and have miniature cattleyas, what about it now, this must be a monster when compared to the minicatts right?? (just kidding)

Minis are the way to go, Amey! The Aloc. does tower over many, if not most, of my chids but not all. Currently, it is under 2ft (60cm) tall including the pot. I do have a very small scattering of large (by my standards)plants -- like my few Hoyas which are on small trellises. But with those very rare exceptions, small to mini is all that I allow.