Alocasia cucullata

 Chinese taro

Common Name -: Chinese taro

Botanical Name -: Alocasia cucullata

Kingdom -: Plantae

Order -: Alismatales

Family -: Araceae

Other Common Names -: Chinese taro, Chinese ape, Buddha's hand, and hooded dwarf elephant ear.

General Information -: Alocasia cucullata is a species of flowering plant in the arum family known by the common names Chinese taro, Chinese ape, Buddha's hand, and hooded dwarf elephant ear. It is kept as an ornamental plant.

The native range of the species is unclear, as it is known only from cultivation and from specimens growing around human habitation and in disturbed areas. It is grown in many parts of Asia, such as China, India, Sri Lanka, and Burma.

Human Uses -: It has some uses in traditional Chinese medicine. It is applied externally to treat snakebite, abscesses, rheumatism, and arthritis. It is poisonous due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. This plant is considered to bring good luck, so it is kept at Buddhist temples in Laos and Thailand.

Creator - Sourabh Kushwah ( B.Sc. 3rd Year )