Lower Risk

Alocasia wentii (New Guinea Shield, Elephant ears)

This perennial herb is native to the mountains of New Guinea. It has large, glossy green leaves, with purple undersides. There is no data about how long it has been in the ornamental plant trade in Australia. The species has not become naturalised in Australia or elsewhere with a similar climate to NSW. Its close relative, A. macrorrhyzos is considered invasive in Cuba, New Zealand, and several islands in the Pacific. The species reproduces vegetatively by rhizome and possibly by water-dispersed seeds. There are no areas in NSW with a similar climate to the species’ native range.