Alocasia sanderiana
The Kris Plant
Alocasia sanderiana is native to the Philippines but is endangered there due to excessive agricultural expansion into its preferred habitat. Fortunately, this striking plant is common in the houseplant market so it isn’t in any danger of disappearing entirely. Which is cool, but so are sustainable farming practices that don’t endanger wild flora and fauna. Just saying. In case you’re wondering, most plants in the houseplant trade are grown in nurseries and not wild harvested. Black market plants are out there, however, so it’s important to know the source of your newest acquisition. My story Fletcher the Collector deals a little more with the dangers of the illegal plant trade.
A. sanderiana is commonly called the kris plant because it resembles the kris dagger. Side note, the dagger’s blade is wavy so it slides in and out of the body easily. By contrast, a katana will get stuck inside a body unless the wielder gives it a little twist before pulling it back out. Horror and plants, like peanut butter and jelly.
The kris plant’s specific epithet Alocasia sanderiana is after Henry Frederick Conrad Sander who, as far as I can tell didn’t actually collect any wild plants. What he did do was start a huge plant business in the UK in the late 19th century and send others out collecting for him. Henry was a famous orchid collector and breeder and is well known for his Richenbachia, a monthly publication showcasing orchids. Some sources sited him as very successful, others said that he had constant money problems. I’m generally more interested in plants than in people, but if I were to go down a rabbit hole for this fellow, I might focus on his finances and his relationship with the artist who did the bulk of the illustrations for the Richenbachia. This man, Henry Moon, was Sander’s son-in-law. Moon eventually died of exhaustion caused by the immense amount of pressure put on him for his work. But we’re here for A. sanderiania, of course.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find much about A. sanderiana’s life in the wild, but it is most likely fly or beetle pollinated.
An extract of the plant is used in nano materials to fight bacteria in test tube experiments which is pretty sweet.
I did find some information on the folk medicinal uses of the A. sanderiana. Its leaves are reportedly used to treat headache, toothache, and impotence. I personally wouldn’t put this plant anywhere near my mouth, however, as it is known to contain toxic, soapy chemicals called saponins. Just putting that out there.
Alocasias can be challenging to grow as they are often host to spider mites. They will burn in direct sun, but do well in part shade. They also prefer to be on the wetter side.
This is my tiny, single-leaved baby kris plant. Hoping for good things in the future.
I have lost so many alocasias to mites so why do I keep growing them anyway