Sometimes called 'The mirror plant' because of its highly-glossy, reflective foliage, Alocasia cuprea 'Red secret' is a cultivar of Alocasia cuprea K.Koch of which the type specimen has very pronounced coppery, completely peltate leaves. It is a tuberous, herbaceous species. Some leaves on particular plants are nearly circular, with the petiole attaching almost at the center of the leaf, however most are characteristically ovate. Depending on the cultivar, the foliage varies from copper, to very deep red and almost black venation.
Genus name comes from the Greek words a meaning without and Colocasia the name of a closely allied genus, from which it was separated.
Alocasia cuprea 'Red secret'
- Name: Alocasia cuprea 'Red secret'Type: BulbForm: ChamaephytesFamily: AraceaeNative Range: BorneoZone: 12Habitat: a cultivar of Alocasia cuprea, whose habitat is foretst understory of in Borneo. It is said to grow mostly on slopes.Height: 30 to 50cmSpread: 30 to 50cmSun: Part shade to full shadeWater: MediumMaintenance: LowLeaf: EvergreenTolerate: Semi Shade
Taxon identifiers (Alocasia cuprea): PlantList-ID : kew-6788; IPNI plant ID : 84208-1; Tropicos ID : 2100218; NCBI taxonomy ID : 1132790; Global Biodiversity Information Facility ID : 5329899; Encyclopedia of Life ID : 1097446; EPPO Code : ALDMI; iNaturalist taxon ID : 327369; WCSPF ID : 6788; Plants of the World online ID : urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:84208-1; IRMNG ID : 10252403; CAB ID : 20153; World Flora Online ID : wfo-0000949551
Synonyms: = Alocasia cuprea (C.Koch & Bouché) C.Koch = Alocasia metallica (K.Koch) Hook. = Caladium cupreum K.Koch & C.D.Bouché = Caladium cupreum Verschaff. = Caladium metallicum K.Koch ≡ Caladium veitchii Hend. = Caladium veitchii Hend. ex Hook.f. = Gonatanthus cupreus K.Koch = Gonatanthus cupreus infrasubsp. publ