Elephant ear tree

The Elephant-ear tree is named after the spherical crown shaped and expansive glossy reddish brown seedpods. It is native to tropical regions of the Americas. It is also known as Devil's ear tree.

These deciduous trees have broad crowns, sometimes wider than the height of 130' which it can reach up to. Green leaves are alternate and bipinnate while the leaflets are oblong, thin and light-weight. The gray bark is relatively smooth, with vertical furrows. Large roots can be found protruding above the ground in older trees. Clusters of small white flowers are produced from January to May.

The wavy ear-shaped pods are about 5" in diameter and take a year to mature. They can be found around April to May. Each pod holds about a dozen or more seeds which contain insecticidal amino acid and are rich in protein and starches.

Elephant-ear trees prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Bark and pods contain saponins which can be used externally as a soap substitute
• Wood is hardwood and fungus-resistant which can be used to make furniture and fence posts
• Young seedpods and seeds can be cooked and consumed, or roasted (as coffee)
• Sap can be used to treat bronchitis; or as a natural glue
• Bark can be used to make a cold syrup