super-sized+elephant+ear



The genus Colocasia has been in cultivation for over 28,000 years in equatorial regions as a food crop. It is grown in India, China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Polynesia, the Mediterranean, Africa, and South America. The Gigantea variety is native to Thailand and it can reach around 9 foot tall in the wild. Most domesticated varieties (cultivated through seeds and clones) cannot reach this height, though it Is unknown why. There is speculation that the beetles used for pollination are more common in the wild. You can eat every part of the plant once it has been steamed or boiled though the stem of the leaf is generally preferred. Fodder for pigs is made from this plant though humans, usually in non-westernized countries, consume this as a vegetable. Suprisingly, Colocasia esculenta is the “14th most widely consumed vegetable on earth”. In its native countries, this plant is found to grow most commonly around toilets and fertile swampy land (areas that do not commonly support much in the way of crops). Before the 1800’s, this genus was a staple food in Hawaii. The Hawaiians explored many different varieties of this plant and were able to create many cultivars. This has since ceased in Hawaii. Since, scientists have revived many Hawaiian varieties and have, through breeding, created several varieties for ornamentation that is popular in the United States. The Gigantea variety is used primarily for ornamentation and is often referred to Elephant Ear (though many different plants that resemble the Colocasia genus are called this).
 * Cultural History**

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By looking at this plant’s uses, it would be interesting to look at a comparison and contrast of the United States and Thailand. By using this plant primarily for ornamentation, what can we interpret about the United States? By using this plant as food for pigs and humans, what conclusions can be drawn about Thailand? I think this would open up a great social commentary topic about the wastefulness of the United States verses other nations. The US is indeed very lucky to grow plants for just aesthetic purposes rather than having to use much of the available land for growing crops for food and trade. Perhaps the students could look at the average wage, life span, and living conditions of persons in each country and speculate the reasons for each.
 * US Connection**

I actually think that I would take a class field trip to the arboretum to look at the Japanese Garden. I was thoroughly impressed with the space because it genuinely provided a glimpse into the Asian world through the plants, layout, and architecture. A trip to the arboretum would supplement a study of Asian countries in the 7th grade. Students would draw conclusions and make connections (from previous classes) on the culture of people in Asia. I could ask probing questions such as: “What feeling do you feel by being in this space?”; “How can we relate this feeling to many of the religions practiced in Asian countries?”; “Is there a particular religion or belief that comes to mind?”; “What does the architecture of the pagoda-arbor say or reveal about those who designed it?”; “How does the simple lines in the architecture relate to Japan?”; “Look at the plants. How are they different from many of the plants, trees, and shrubs that are native to America?”; “What makes them so different?”; “ How does the climate differ in Japan and America and how has it contributed to the plants grown there?”. By having students relate the climate and culture of Japan to the arboretum, they will create connections that should make the information relevant and memorable.
 * Classroom Connection**