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Alocasia brisbanensis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cunjevoi
Growing near the Wilson River, Australia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Alocasia
Species:
A. brisbanensis
Binomial name
Alocasia brisbanensis
Synonyms[3]
  • Alocasia macrorrhizos var. brisbanensis F.M.Bailey

Alocasia brisbanensis, commonly known as cunjevoi[a] or spoon lily,[1][2][4] is a species of plant in the family Araceae native to rainforests of eastern Australia. The common name "cunjevoi" derives from the Bundjalung language of northern New South Wales.[5]

Description

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Alocasia brisbanensis has very large, spade-shaped leaves on long, fleshy petioles, and grows to a height of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in). The perfumed, summer flowers are greenish-cream in colour, and similar to an arum lily. Red fruits follow the flowering.[4][6]

The plant is poisonous, and contact with the sap can lead to skin and eye irritation due to the presence of needle-like crystals of Calcium oxalate.[4] Eating any part of the plant causes immediate pain, a burning sensation and swelling of the lips, tongue and mouth. A small number of children have died as a result of eating parts of the plant.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Species profile—Alocasia brisbanensis". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Alocasia brisbanensis". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Alocasia brisbanensis (F.M.Bailey) Domin". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Alocasia brisbanensis". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Aboriginal words in English". State Library of Queensland. 18 July 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  6. ^ Wrigley, John; Fagg, Murray (1997). Australian Native Plants (4 ed.). Kew, Victoria: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7301-0493-1.
  7. ^ "Cunjevoi (Alocasia brisbanensis)". Children's Health Queensland. Queensland Government. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
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Notes

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  1. ^ The term "cunjevoi" also refers to a marine animal