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{{SPlantbox
| name = ''Caladium''
|familia=Araceae
| common_names = <!--- if multiple, list all, if none, leave blank -->
|genus=Caladium
| growth_habit = ? <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc -->
|common_name=Caladium, Elephant ear
| high = ? <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
|habit=herbaceous
|poisonous=all parts
|lifespan=perennial
| poisonous = <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
|exposure=part-sun, shade
| lifespan = <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
|water=moderate, less when dormant
| exposure = ? <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
|features=foliage, houseplant
| water = ? <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
|Temp Metric=°F
| features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
|image=Brandywine1.jpg
|image_width=240
| color = IndianRed
| image = Brandywine1.jpg
| image_width = 240px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
}}
}}
'''Caladium''' ({{IPAc-en|icon|k|ə|ˈ|l|eɪ|d|i|əm}})<ref>''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995:606–607</ref> is a [[genus]] of flowering plants in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Araceae]]. They are often known by the common name '''elephant ear''' (which they share with the closely related genera ''[[Alocasia]]'', ''[[Colocasia]]'', and ''[[Xanthosoma]]''), '''Heart of Jesus''',<ref name="hear">[http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/caladium_bicolor.htm Caladium bicolor]</ref> and '''Angel Wings'''. There are over 1000 named cultivars of ''Caladium bicolor'' from the original South American plant.<ref name="floridata">[http://www.floridata.com/ref/C/cala_bic.cfm Caladium bicolor]</ref>
The genus ''Caladium'' includes seven species, which are indigenous to [[Brazil]] and to neighboring areas of [[South America]] and [[Central America]]. They grow in open areas of the [[forest]] and on the banks of rivers and go [[dormancy|dormant]] during the [[dry season]]. The wild plants grow to 15–35 inches (40–90 cm) tall, with [[leaf|leaves]] mostly 6-18 inches (15–45 cm) long and broad.
Several species are grown as [[ornamental plant]]s for their large, arrowhead-shaped leaves marked in varying patterns in white, pink, and red (somewhat resembling the unrelated [[coleus]]) and have been in cultivation in [[Europe]] since the late 18th century. The two forms most widely cultivated are called "fancy-leaved" and "lance-leaved". The former is the more commonly seen and is the traditional caladium of cultivation; the leaves are more heart-shaped. The latter has more lance-head-shaped leaves. Most Caladiums in cultivation grow to about 24 inches (60 cm) high and 24 inches (60 cm) wide, although dwarf varieties are now in cultivation.
Numerous [[cultivar]]s have been selected, most of them (over 120) derived from ''C. bicolor''. The lance-leaved varieties are also derived from ''C. schomburgkii''.
{{Inc|
{{Inc|
Caladium (origin of name obscure). Araceae. Warmhouse large-leaved plants, grown for the foliage; also employed in summer bedding.
Caladium (origin of name obscure). Araceae. Warmhouse large-leaved plants, grown for the foliage; also employed in summer bedding.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
During their [[growing season]], they need a great deal of water and should not be allowed to dry out. Most varieties prefer partial to full shade, although sun-resistant varieties are now in cultivation. Approximately 98% of all caladium bulbs are from [[Lake Placid, Florida]], in the [[United States]]. In recent years many new varieties have become available through breeding.
In temperate areas, they should be lifted before the first frost. The corms are dried and stored for the winter when temperatures fall to 65 °F (18 °C), and stored moderately dry (not bone-dry) over the winter at temperatures between 56 °F (13 °C) and 61 °F (16 °C).
All parts of the plant are [[poison]]ous. They should not be ingested and may irritate sensitive skin.
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
Caladiums grow from [[corm]]s and can be propagated by dividing the tubers. They are hardy only to [[USDA plant hardiness zone]] 10; in colder areas, they are typically grown as tender [[bulb]]s or as [[houseplant]]s.
===Pests and diseases===
===Pests and diseases===
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