Colocasia ‘COPHAMA’ (Pharaoh’s Mask)

Selection history of Colocasia ‘COPHAMA’ (Pharaoh’s Mask)

Pharaoh’s Mask is the commercial name for the cultivar ‘COPHAMA’, a Colocasia hybrid bred by Brian Williams in Louisville, Kentucky. Williams made the cross in 2013 using Colocasia ‘Dark Star’ and an unnamed Colocasia fontanesii selection, then chose ‘COPHAMA’ from the resulting seedlings in 2018.

Indoor care for Colocasia ‘COPHAMA’ (Pharaoh’s Mask)

Keep Pharaoh’s Mask near a bright window with filtered light so it receives steady light through the day. Acclimatise it gradually to stronger sun and use a sheer curtain if intense direct light reaches the leaves. Warmth is important, and moderate to high humidity helps in dry rooms.

Grow it in rich, moisture-retentive compost with good drainage. During active growth, water when the surface begins to dry and let the excess water drain. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser according to the label while fresh leaves are forming.

If growth slows as light levels fall, keep the compost lightly moist and pause feeding. Restart feeding once new growth resumes, and continue watering when the compost surface begins to dry.

Roots emerging from the drainage holes or a tightly packed rootball are signs that it needs more space. Repot into a pot one size larger and keep the plant at the same depth.

Solving problems with Colocasia ‘COPHAMA’ (Pharaoh’s Mask)

• Leaves hang lower than usual and the compost is dry: The plant is short of water. Soak the rootball thoroughly and let the pot drain. If very dry compost absorbs water slowly, stand the pot in water briefly until it becomes evenly moist, then drain it well.
• Brown tips appear together with pale mineral deposits: Salts may have built up in the compost. Remove the deposits, flush the compost thoroughly with plain water and let the pot drain.
• Pale pinpricks, fine webbing or white-winged insects appear: Check the leaf undersides for spider mites or whitefly, isolate the plant and wash the foliage. If the pest remains, use an indoor insecticidal soap labelled for use on this plant and pest, and repeat only as directed on the label.
• The foliage collapses while the compost stays wet: Stop watering, empty any standing water and check that the drainage holes are clear. If the plant keeps declining or the base feels soft, wear gloves and inspect the roots and corm for rot. Cut away mushy roots or soft corm tissue to firm, healthy tissue with a clean tool, discard the rotten material and old compost, disinfect the tool and repot in fresh compost that drains freely. Discard the plant if the base is soft throughout.

Colocasia esculenta ‘Pharaoh’s Mask’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Why is it called Colocasia esculenta?

Colocasia comes from ancient Greek kolokasion, a name for an edible, corm-bearing plant. Esculenta means edible, reflecting taro’s long history as a food plant.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Colocasia in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 18.

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Arum esculentum in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 965. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott later placed it in Colocasia as Colocasia esculenta in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 18.