Abstract
Colocasia spongifolia sp. nov. (Araceae) is a large herb in forest edges on mountain slopes in southern China and central Vietnam. The plant is remarkable for its distinct vegetative morphology, while floral morphology places it as a close wild relative of C. esculenta (taro), among other closely-related species. The name given here reflects a thick, rubbery, spongy leaf blade unlike the blades in other Colocasia species known to us. The blade has exceptionally large spongy mesophyll cavities that are visible to the naked eye. Vegetative reproduction appears to be limited to direct (though shy) sprouting of lateral buds to form new erect stems, without production of side-tubers or stolons. In contrast to other Colocasia species, dense spreading colonies (clumps or patches) were not seen.
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