Giant Upright Elephant Ear: Alocasia macrorrhizos This very cool elephant ear is quite different from the typical Colocasia esculenta. The thick, sculpted, glossy green leaves are held upright on dramatically rigid stems. A clump of giant upright elephant ears is guaranteed to stop visitors in their tracks...especially if they walk into it! Alocasia macrorrhizos has been quite hardy in the Raleigh area, surviving 0 degrees F, but prefers it a bit warmer.