Alocasia baginda 'Aegis'

A cultivated 'jewel' Alocasia that closely resembles 'Dragon Scale' but has broader, rounder, shield-shaped leaves – hence the name: the 'Aegis' is the protective shield of Greek myth. Its leaves are thick, leathery and strongly bullate ('scaly'); it grows from a tuber and bushes outwards. Leaf colour changes markedly with age: a young leaf is bright neon or lime green, and as it matures and hardens it turns a dark, matte deep green with a leathery, armoured look. Juvenile plants have narrower leaves; the broad shield shape develops with age. Collector's note: it is often sold simply as Aloca…