ELEPHANT EAR OR WILD TARO

 Wild Taro is a robust perennial plant that grows in large clumps. The upper surface of the leaf is medium to dark green and velvety with a lighter colored lower surface. The leaf blades range from less than 10 inches to over 20 inches in length and are 6-12 inches wide. It is an introduced species from Asia. The rootstock and leaves are poisonous unless cooked properly before eating. Control is very difficult chemically due to the millions of very fine velvety hairs on the leaf surface which prevent proper herbicide penetration. Try either Renovate or Rodeo with Cide-Kick added. Also cutting with the Water Weed Cutter III or Aquatic Weed Eradicator is fairly easy and quick.