Colocasia spp.

Colocasia spp. is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The reported severity is mild. Also known as Elephant Ears, Taro and Giant Taro.

dogs cats horses

Mild Moderate Severe Critical

If your animal ate this plant, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661. Fees may apply.

Symptoms to watch for

Oral Irritation Drooling Vomiting Difficulty Swallowing

The color of each symptom follows the severity scale above.

About

Colocasia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Some species are widely cultivated and naturalized in other tropical and subtropical regions. The species C. esculenta (taro) is invasive in wetlands along the Gulf Coast of the United States, where it threatens to displace native wetland plants.

Common Names

  • Elephant Ears
  • Taro
  • Giant Taro
  • East-Himalayan Decorated Taro
  • Organ Mountain Laceleaf

Also recorded as Elephant ear.

Facts

Family
Araceae
Duration
Perennial
Growth habit
Forb/herb
In the wild
US, PT, TW, AU, IN, ZA + more
Source
Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Elsewhere

Countries with the most wild observations, from GBIF data.