it's a pass-along plant, tropical, it's growing outdoors, dies back in winter in C-Arkansas, height about 2 ft or less - doesn't seem to have more than 3 or 4 stems-
Can't tell you the species from this photo but is certainly an aroid. It could be Colocasia esculenta or some other form of Colocasia. The only way to be positive of the species is to have a photo of the spathe and spadix which many call a "flower". In reality that "flower" is an inflorescnce. But this is certainly an aroid.
the plants have never produced a floresence - but from reading on other websites, it may be a taro - thanks for your answer
Taro is one of the common names for Colocasia esculenta. There are many leaf forms so they are even a bit difficult to identify from the shape of the leaf. This is the info from my own website: http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Colocasia esculenta large pc.html
I think Ron is saying it won't "flower" because its too cold or the "flower" might have gone unnoticed....I think
would it flower indoors? and then in what soil mix should it be planted? does it make a good house plant or are the light conditions indoors insufficient and air too dry?
Assuming this is Colocasia esculenta, and it certainly resembles some known forms, the species prefers direct sunlight. It will grow in bright shade and I've actually "flowered" it in moderate shade. In Hawaii, there are at least 50 known forms of this species. It is one of the most variable of all plant species. One well known botanist stated on the Aroid l group they are known to voluntarily morph and change their blade shape. It also prefers very damp soil and will grow along the edge of bodies of water in several inches of water. It is known to grow wild in South Florida and is now considered invasive. So it does like "wet feet". That could cause the plant to not produce a spathe if it was grown too dry. One weird plant! As for the cold, I can grow this one here in zone 7b. It goes dormant in the winter but comes back in the spring. It does not die back until a hard freeze. The black form is sold in local nurseries all the time.
