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Definition of alocasia in US English:

alocasia

noun

  • Any of various plants constituting the genus Alocasia (family Araceae), comprising rhizomatous and tuberous perennials native chiefly to tropical Asia, which have large cordate or sagittate leaves borne on long petioles, and are grown for ornament and sometimes as a food crop. Also (in form Alocasia): this genus itself.

Origin

Mid 19th century. From scientific Latin Alocasia, genus name (J. de Necker Elementa botanica III. 289), probably an alteration of colocasia.