Cunjevoi Lily

Alocasia brisbanensis

Description:

Cunjevoi lily, aka elephant-eared cunjevoi, is a species native to rainforests of eastern Australia. Also known as Native Lily or Spoon Lily. These plants can be found growing as an understory plant along rainforest margins and in riparian areas along waterways, especially in places where there is a gap in the canopy to allow light in. Alocasia may grow to a height of 1.5 metres. This species is poisonous to humans and is a known cause of toddler deaths. It also poses a real danger to animals like cats and dogs. However, this is an important host plant for the caterpillars of at least four species of Hawk Moth as well as the Crow Moth (Cruria donowani). The fruit can also be eaten safely by birds which then disperse the seeds. NB: Other than both being Australian natives, cunjevoi (the plant) bears no resemblance to cunjevoi (the marine animal).

Habitat:

This spotting was at Ravensbourne National Park, at an elevation above 500 mtrs. Dense foliage and canopy, mostly native trees that I could see. Lots of leaf litter and quite damp due to recent rains or thick mist. Alocasia brisbanensis is endemic to the warmer coastal and inland-coastal areas of Australia's east coast, from just south of Sydney in the Illawarra region all the way up to far north Queensland. However, it has now been naturalised in some areas of both Victoria as well as in Western Australia where it’s considered a minor environmental weed. It has also naturalised in New Zealand.