What is the difference between Alocasia macrorrhizos and taro? How to tell them apart quickly

1. Alocasia macrorrhizos

It is a plant of the Araceae family. Its above-ground stem is very thick and sturdy, reaching 2 to 3 m. The whole plant is very tall, with some reaching 5 m. Most of its leaves are arranged in a spiral. Its petioles are also very thick, around 1.5 m in length. The leaves are leathery, very broad, dark green, about 50 to 90 cm long and about 40 to 80 cm wide, very broad.

2. Taro

It is also a plant of the Araceae family, and also a tuber plant. Its leaf shape resembles a shield. Its petioles are also very long, green or purplish-red. At its base there is a shortened stem, which after accumulating nutrients forms a large spherical corm called the "mother taro."

3. The differences between the two

They both belong to the Araceae family, so they are quite similar in appearance, as can also be seen from the pictures. However, if you observe carefully, you can also find the differences between them. The main differences are in appearance. First are the leaves: the center of Alocasia macrorrhizos leaves has purple dots, but taro does not; the former's leaves are dark in color, while the latter's are relatively lighter. Then there is the difference in the stem: although both are quite long, the former's is relatively thick, while the latter's is relatively thin.