Chantrieri
ALOCASIA
Today, Alocasia Chantrieri stands as a quintessential example of the aesthetic possibilities within the Alocasia genus: dark, enigmatic, and architecturally refined. Its velvety leaves and dramatic contrast embody both the mystique of aroid cultivation and the evolving dialogue between wild species and horticultural artistry.
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While often treated as a species, ‘Chantrieri’ is better understood as a horticultural entity with uncertain origins—likely involving hybrid ancestry within the Alocasia section Amazonica 'Polly'—yet it maintains the botanical gravitas and visual intensity of a true species. Its name pays tribute to the French botanist Chantrier, though the exact historical record of its introduction to cultivation is fragmentary. What is clear is that by the late 20th century, ‘Chantrieri’ had already established itself as a coveted rarity in Southeast Asian aroid collections before gradually entering international trade through specialist nurseries.
celebrated among collectors for its deeply sculpted, velvety foliage and dramatic coloration...
As with many Jewel Alocasia relatives, the defining characteristic of Alocasia Chantrieri lies in its foliage: each leaf is a study in shadow, texture, and subtle iridescence. Mature blades are elongated, shield-shaped, and conspicuously ribbed, with primary veins pressed deeply into a surface that can appear almost leathery or satin-matte depending on light orientation. The adaxial surface is a moody interplay of black-green, olive, and deep graphite, often displaying a faint metallic sheen that shifts in low-intensity light. The abaxial surface, by contrast, tends toward rich wine or plum tones, producing a sophisticated two-toned palette that highlights the plant’s architectural form.
Aurea/Gold /
Pink /
Base /
Alocasia Chantrieri Forms
Interest has surged in recent decades as tissue culture methods and an increase in corm propagation have made once-rare clones more accessible, though high-quality specimens with striking variegation remain highly prized. Collectors often seek plants that display maximum venation relief and the most saturated leaf coloration and variegation contrast.
