ALOCASIA FORNICATA
SYNONYMS: Arum fornicatum, Colocasia fornicata; Shola kachu (Bengali: শোলা কচু )
DISTRIBUTION: Assam, Bangladesh, East Himalaya, India, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
CLIMATE: Subtropical humid climate
Humidity is moderate throughout the year, ranging from 60% to 70%
Temperature is varies between the seasons - within the range of 48°F/9°C to 88°F/31°C during the day. Minimum temperatures never dip below 45°F/7°C
Rainy and humid season (October to May) and a dry season between June and October. The average annual rainfall is 1,200 mm
ECOLOGY:
SPECIES DESCRIPTION:
Leaves ovate-lanceolate sagittate basal lobes much shorter than the anticous connate 1/4 or 1/3 their length obtuse or subacute sinus narrow acute, Stem 1-3 ft., inclined or prostrate, 1 in. diam. Leaves 8-12 by 4-5 in., acute or obtuse, slightly waved, nerves 6-8 pairs ; petiole 8-12 in. and shorter peduncle clouded.
INFLORESCENCE:
Tube of spathe about half as long as the oblong cymbiform acuminate limb, ovary narrowed into a distinct style, stigma 3-4-lobed. Spathe 3-4 in., greenish yellow. Spadix nearly as Ions: as the spathe; appendage 1/4 - 1.5 in about as long as the infl. Seeds 1/6 in. diam., globose.
VARIEGATED FORMS: N/A
ETYMOLOGY: Comes from the latin fornix, meaning arched, vaulted
NOTES:
The plant's spadix is collected and cooked in North East Indian states of Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura where the plant is known locally as Baibing in Mizo and Shola Kachu ( শোলা কচু ) in Bangladesh. Colocasia affinis is also consumed. Both are a much favored seasonal vegetable.
CULTIVARS: N/A
HYBRIDS: N/A
