Alocasia brisbanensis
(Illustration by Dorothee Sampayo)
Cunjevoi is a large fleshy leaved understorey plant, similar to taro and the exotic elephant ear plant. The heart shaped leaves may be up to half a metre or more in length and the plants are often found in moist, boggy areas. All parts of the plant are considered toxic, due to its extremely irritant sap. Some stories hold that the juice of the plant can be applied to stinging tree burns, but the sap may do as much damage as the stinging tree!
Highly perfumed flowers that resemble arum lilies are followed by red, juicy – but poisonous – fruit.
More precious plants . . .
Black apple – Bleeding heart – Blue quandong – Carronia vine – Cunjevoi
Native ginger – Red cedar – Red lilly-pilly – Roseleaf raspberry
