Alocasia scalprum

Natural habitat of Alocasia scalprum

Alocasia scalprum is native to Samar in the Philippines. The exact habitat of the species on Samar is unknown.

Care for Alocasia scalprum

• Watering: Check the mix regularly. Water again as the upper part starts to dry, before the potting mix dries all the way through. Water until excess runs from the drainage holes. Let the pot drain, then empty any water left in the saucer or cover pot.
• Light: Give Alocasia scalprum bright filtered light and protect it from prolonged hot sun.
• Potting mix: Choose a rich potting mix that drains freely; heavy soil stays wet too long.
• Repotting: Keep pot increases modest and move up only when the roots are visibly crowding the current pot.
• Temperature: Keep it around 20–27 °C and away from cold windows or draughts. Move it away from cooler spots before temperatures fall below 18 °C.
• Humidity: Alocasia does best with medium to high humidity. Keep it in a bright spot away from heaters and air-conditioning. If the air is dry, place it near other houseplants that like similar conditions, leaving space between the leaves, or use a clean humidifier.

Signs of trouble in Alocasia scalprum

• Silver scars, black specks or distorted new leaves appear: Look inside the folded new growth and around the protected stalk bases for thrips. If you find live thrips or fresh droppings, isolate the plant. Use a treatment labelled for thrips on indoor ornamental plants, and repeat it only as directed on the label.
• The narrow leaf tips or margins become crisp and brown: Check for dry air, uneven moisture and visible mineral build-up before simply watering more often. Keep watering more even and, if the air is dry, raise humidity gradually. If salts have accumulated and the roots are firm, run plenty of water through the pot and let it drain completely.
• The plant wilts while the potting mix remains persistently damp: Lift the root ball for inspection rather than adding more water. Keep firm roots in place and check for soft, dark or collapsing areas. If clearly rotten tissue has to be removed, use a disinfected blade, keep every firm healthy section, clean the blade between cuts and discard the removed material. Replace slow, wet mix with fresh, airy potting mix in a close-fitting container.

Alocasia scalprum: toxic if chewed

• Pets: This Alocasia is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant and any cut pieces where pets cannot chew them.
• Children and handling: Keep it out of reach of children. Sap from damaged tissue can irritate skin and eyes, so wash your hands after pruning and avoid touching your face.
• Why it irritates: Alocasia tissue contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing or contact with sensitive tissue can cause immediate local irritation.
• Possible symptoms: Mouth exposure can cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, nausea or vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
• After exposure: For a pet, contact a veterinarian. For a person, remove any plant material from the mouth and rinse with water; seek medical or poison-control advice if symptoms are significant. Breathing difficulty or rapidly increasing swelling needs urgent medical attention.

What scalprum means

Scalprum is Latin for “chisel” or “cutting tool”, a reference to the narrow, sharply shaped blade.

Alistair Hay first described Alocasia scalprum in 1999 in Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore, volume 51, page 30.