海芋屬宿根性草本，原產新幾內亞及鄰近島嶼。植株大型，高寬可達2m，葉柄健壯，紫色或綠色。盾狀葉長可達1m，葉緣波浪狀，葉面綠色油亮，葉背紫紅色。長橢圓形佛焰苞綠色，肉穗花序白色，園藝栽培罕見開花。

A perennial herb in the genus Alocasia, native to New Guinea and neighboring islands. The large plant can reach up to 2m high, petioles robust, purple or green. Peltate leaves up to 1m long, with undulated margins, green and shiny leaf surfaces, and purple-red undersides. Spathe long, oval and green, and spadix white. Rarely flowering in horticultural cultivation.

半日照溫暖環境，高濕度可以促進生長。使用富含有機質的培養土種植，介質略乾或葉片萎軟就澆水，水直接灌入介質中，沖淋葉片易使葉面產生白色水垢。春夏季各施用一次長效性綜合肥料。寒流時應移至室內避寒，以免落葉休眠。繁殖使用扦插、分株法。

The plant does best in partial-sun and warm environments. High moisture can promote the growth. Culture soil rich in organic matter is preferred. Water when the medium slightly dries or the leaves show a sigh of wilting. Water directly into the soil instead on the leaves to avoid leaving white scales on the leaf surface. Apply a slow-release compound fertilizer once every season in spring and summer. During the chilly winter, keep the plant indoors to prevent defoliation and dormancy. Propagation by cuttings and division.

大型觀葉植物，用於室內造景設計為背景或襯景用，型態與姑婆芋相似，但光滑的葉面與紅色葉背，可以凸顯更高的觀賞價值。天南星科植物汁液有草酸鈣結晶，沾染皮膚會發癢，栽培管理時可戴手套防範。

The large foliage plant can be used for interiorscaping design as a background plant to create contrast effect. The leaf resembles Alocasia odora (Lodd.) Spach in shape, but the smoother leaf surface and red undersides make it more ornamental. Alocasia plants contain calcium oxalate crystals in the sap which can cause skin irritation if incidentally contacted, wear gloves when handling the plant.