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Family Araceae
Corazon de Maria
Caladium bicolor (Ait.) Vent.
HEART OF JESUS
Wu cai yu

Scientific names Common names
Alocasia roezlii N.E.Br. Linsang pula (Bik.)
Arum bicolor Aiton Angel wings (Engl.)
Arum pulchrum Salisb. Common caladium (Engl.)
Arum vermitoxicum Vell. Fancy-leaf caladium (Engl.)
Arum vermitoxicum Vell. ex Kunth Fancy-leaved elephant's ear (Engl.)
Caladium albopunctalissimum Jacob-Makoy ex H.Karst. Heart of Jesus (Engl.)
Caladium amoenum Engl. Mother-in-law plant (Engl.)
Caladium argyrospilum Lem.  
Caladium barraquinii Lem.  
Caladium bicolor (Ait.) Vent.  
Caladium brogniartii Lem.  
Caladium chantinii Lem.  
Caladium concolor K.Koch  
Caladium connaertii Engl.  
Caladium cuwadlii Engl.  
Caladium devosianum Lem.  
Caladium discolor Engl.  
Caladium duchartrei Engl.  
Caladium dussii Sieber & Voss  
Caladium eckhartii Lem. ex Engl.  
Caladium enkeanum K.Koch  
Caladium firmulum Schott  
Caladium gaerdtii K.Koch & Fint.  
Caladium griseoargenteum Engl.  
Caladium haageanum K.Koch  
Caladium haematostigma Kunth  
Caladium hendersonii Engl.  
Caladium bicolor name Linn.  
Caladium x hortulanum Birdsey  
Caladium houbyanum Engl.  
Caladium jacquinii Ten.  
Caladium ketteleri Engl.  
Caladium kochii K.Koch  
Caladium kramerianum Engl.  
Caladium laucheanum K.Koch  
Caladium leopoldii Engl.  
Caladium macrophyllum Lem.  
Caladium marginatum K.Koch & C.D.Bouché  
Caladium marmoratum Mathieu ex K.Koch  
Caladium martersteigianum Engl.  
Caladium medioradiatum L.Linden & Rodigas  
Caladium mirabile Lem.  
Caladium mooreanum Engl.  
Caladium neumannii Lem.  
Caladium pallidum K.Koch & C.D.Bouché  
Caladium pellucidum DC.  
Caladium perrieri Lem.  
Caladium pictum DC.  
Caladium poecile Schott  
Caladium punctatissimum Engl.  
Caladium purdieanum Schott  
Caladium pusillum K.Koch  
Caladium regale Lem.  
Caladium reichenbachianum Stange ex Engl.  
Caladium rougieri Verschaff.  
Caladium rubellum K.Koch & Fint.  
Caladium rubricaule Lem.  
Caladium rubrovenium Engl.  
Caladium sagittifolium Sieber ex Engl.  
Caladium sororium Schott  
Caladium splendens K.Koch & Fint.  
Caladium spruceanum Schott  
Caladium stangeanum K.Koch  
Caladium steudnerifolium Engl.  
Caladium surinamense Miq.  
Caladium thelemannii Verschaff.  
Caladium thripedestum Lem.  
Caladium vellozoanum Schott.  
Caladium verschaffeltii Lem.  
Caladium wagneri Engl.  
Caladium wightii Lem.  
Cyrtospadix bicolor (Aiton) Britton & P.Wilson  
Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent. is an accepted name The Plant List

Other vernacular names
CHAMORRO: Corazon de Santa Maria.
CHINESE: Hua ye yu, Cai ye yu (as C. hortulanum), Wu cai yu.
FRENCH: caladium du Brésil, palette de peintre.
INDONESIA: Keladi berwama, Keladi hias.
MALAY: Keladi.
HAWAIIAN: Kalo kalakoa.
NIGERIAN: Edeu mumuo (Ibo).
NIUEAN: Talotalo.
SAMOAN: Lau talotalo, Talo, Talo teu fale.
SPANISH: Corazon de Jesus, Corazon de Maria.
TAHITIAN: Taro purepure.

Gen info
- Caladium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Earache. They are often known by the common name 'elephant ear", which they share with closely related genera of Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma. There are more than 1000 named cultivars of Caladium bicolor from the original South American plant. (23)
- It is grown as an ornamental houseplant for its large, heart- or lance-shaped leaves with striking white pink and red blotching.

Botany
Corazon de Maria is a long-lived perennial herb arising from a fleshy, roundish, underground stem (corm). Leaves have an elongated stalk and a heart-shaped blade, 10 to 40 centimeters long, 6 to 30 centimeters wide, variously colored on the upper surface, green or blotched with red and white in various patch designs. Blade is mostly green, with scattered white spots and reddish veins. Fleshy flower cluster (spadix) is erect, shorter than the enclosing bract (spathe), about 10 centimeters long, tubular, constricted at the middle, green on the outer surface, white on the inner. Flowers are of one sex, without stalk and floral envelope (perianth); males are crowded on the upper part of the cluster, the females on the lower. Fruit is a berry, many seeded.

Distribution
- Introduced.
- Ornamental cultivation in Philippine gardens for its various colors and leaf shapes.
- Occasional use as hedge plant.
- Native to Trinidad, Guiana, and Brazil.

- A dormant geophyte herb extensively commercialized in the horticultural global trade. (18)
- A problematic invasive species in some countries: Trinidad and Tobago, Guam, Micronesia, Palau, Hawaii, and the Philippines. (24)

Constituents
- Phytochemical screening yielded the presence of saponins, flavonoids, limonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, carotenoids, lactones, xanthophs, oxalate, cyanide, and terpenes.
- Methanol extracts of leaves and bulbs of Caladium bicolor and C. tricolor yielded varying amounts of alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids/steroids, de-oxy sugars, phenols, flavonoids, reducing sugars, and carbohydrates. (see study below)

Properties
- Considered antiseptic, anti-tumor, emetic, laxative, insecticide.
- Studies have shown antioxidant, biosorbent, antimicrobial, antiangiogenic, cytotoxic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anxiolytic properties.

Caution / Toxicity
- Poisonous ingredients are raphides of water insoluble calcium oxalate. Symptoms from eating or touching the eye include: burning in the mouth, tongue and throat with or without swelling or blistering, hoarseness, eye pain and corneal damage, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. (1
1)
- Management: (1) Remove traces of plant from contaminated areas (eyes, mouth, skin); wipe with wet cloth. (2) Copiously irrigate with water (3) If ingested, rinse mouth with cool water or demulcent; milk to drink. (4) Analgesics as needed for pain (5) Emergency room care.

Parts used
Leaves, rhizomes, and tubers.

Uses

Edibility / Caution
- All parts of the plant, but especially the leaves and bulb, when raw, contain irritant crystals of calcium oxalate. When cooked, both leaves and bulbs have been eaten as vegetables in tropical America and the West Indies.
- Some advise that all parts of the plant are poisonous if consumed in large amounts.
Folkloric
- No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
- Elsewhere, used for sore throats, constipation, catarrh, wounds.
- Used for sores and toothache.
- For facial paralysis, crushed bulbs applied to the face.
- In Brazil, heated bulbs are covered with olive oil and applied to tumors.
Also, decoction of leaves used as vermifuge and purgative; externally used for furunculosis.
- In Nigeria, heated leaves and rhizomes applied to boils and abscesses. (14)
- In Cameroon, decoction of tubers and leaves used for vaginal inflammation.
- Used for treatment of ulcers, boils, convulsions.
Others
- Insecticide: In the Philippines, powdered leaves are used as insecticide.
- Veterinary: In India, decoction of leaves used for external cattle festers caused by worms.

Caution
All parts of the plant, especially the leaves and bulb, when raw, contain raphides of water-insoluble calcium oxalate and other proteinaceous toxins.
Excessive dosing can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling and redness of the eyes, and swelling of the mouth and tongue.
Although attractive, avoid planting within easy reach of children.

Studies
Phytochemicals / Polyphenols:
Study of the polyphenol content of stem, leaf, bulbs, and roots of three caladium sp. showed significant differences. All three yielded polyphenols, saponins, carotenoids, alkaloids, limonoids,and flavonoids. The polyphenol content of C bicolor was significantly higher than that of C. ornamental and C. variegatum. The leaves of the three plants were significantly higher in polyphenols than the stem, bulb, and roots. Saponins were also extensively found. Cyanide content was highest in C. bicolor, with the roots yielding more cyanide than the bulb, stem and leaves. The presence of the biochemical components suggest a potential for use in cancer. (9)
Antioxidant / Antibacterial:
Study of methanol extracts of leaves and bulbs showed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity against selected wound pathogens (Streptococcus pyogenes, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia and Candida albicans). In DPPH assay, leaves extract of C. bicolor (green background with white patches) showed the highest free radical scavenging activity (64.7%, IC50 value 1.15 mg/ml) which could be correlated to the phenolic content. (12)
Membrane Stabilizing / Antimicrobial:
Study showed test samples of C. bicolor and C. ablum demonstrated significant membrane stabilizing potentials (inhibition of hypotonic solution and heat induced hemolysis of RBCs) and mild to moderate antimicrobial activity. A chloroform soluble fraction showed the highest zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. (13)
Biosorbent for Treatment of Heavy Metal Contaminated Wastewater:
Study reports on an environmental friendly and affordable technology for the use of C. bicolor as a naturally occurring biosorbent for the removal of cationic pollutants in wastewater. Data show Caladium bicolor is a successful biosorbent for treating heavy metal contaminated wastewater and has potential as an alternative adsorbent. (1
5)
Antidiarrheal / Leaves:
Study evaluated the antidiarrheal activity of an aqueous leaf extract of C. bicolor. The extract caused significant (p<0.001) dose-dependent inhibition of castor oil-induced intestinal transit with peak effect, 100% inhibition, elicited at the dose of 50 mg/kg. Results suggest an antidiarrheal activity due to its anti-motility effect possibly through an antagonist action on intestinal muscarinic receptors and agonist action on intestinal α2-adrenoreceptors. (1
6)
Antimicrobial / Leaves: Study evaluated the active compounds, secondary metabolites, and antimicrobial activity of a methanol leaf extract of Caladium bicolor against selected clinical isolates viz., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans using agar well diffusion. The extract showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria with highest zone of inhibition of 10 mm. Antimicrobial activity was attributed to tannins, alkaloids, and saponins. (17)
Subacute Toxicity Effects on the Liver and Kidney: Study evaluated the possible pathological effects of sub-acute exposure of methanol extract of Caladium bicolor on hepatic histomorphology of experimental Wistar rats. Extract was administered in doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kbw for 28 days. Results showed exposure to the extract caused significant increase in serum ALT and AST along with prominent hepatic histopathological changes such as inflammation, necrosis, and steatosis. The effects were dose-dependent hepatopathy. (19) Study evaluated the subacute (28 days) toxicological profile of methanol extract of leaves in rat. Results
showed no significant change in organ weights of the rats. Hematological indices were comparable to control except for a slight increase in monocyte levels (p<0.05). ALT and ALP were comparable to control. There was a significant decrease in AST. There were no significant differences in lipid levels. Photomicrographs of the heart, lungs, brain, spleen and liver show not abnormalities. However, the kidneys showed focal infiltrate of lymphocytes disrupting the renal tubules and interstitium at 400 mg/kg/day. The methanol extract of leaves appeared safe; however, prolonged use might lead to renal failure. (21)
Neuropharmacological Effects / Anxiolytic / Anticonvulsabt / Antidepressant / Leaves: Study evaluated the effect of l dried, powdered leaf extracts on some neuropharmacological parameters. Phytochemical screening of leaf extracts yielded carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, and flavonoids . The extract showed varying levels of protection against strychnine-induced convulsion. The n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts increased latency (p<0.01) to pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsion and varying levels of protection against maximal electroshock-induced seizure. There was increased duration of stay on the open arm of elevated plus maze
and reduction in duration of immobility in forced swim test. Results showed anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties. (20)
Antiangiogenic / Antitoxic / Antioxidant/: Study evaluated the antiangiogenic, antioxidant, and cytotoxicty properties of methanol extract of leaves if Caladium bicolor using slight modifications of chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay., free radical scavenging, and lethal exposures to cultured lymphocytes. Results revealed concentration-dependent antiangiogenic, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potential. (
22)

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Updated April 2022 / August 2016
March 2013


PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
IMAGE SOURCE: Common name: caladium - Scientific name: Caladium bicolor / Leaves with red and pink at Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula, Maui / Forest & Kim Starr / 24 October 2007 / Plants of Hawaii / Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license/ Click on image to go to source page. / alterVISTA

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Vent. / Chinese name / Catalogue of Life, China
(2)
Sorting Caladium names / Maintained by: Michel H. Porcher / MULTILINGUAL MULTISCRIPT PLANT NAME DATABASE / A Work in Progress / Copyright © 1997 - 2000 The University of Melbourne.
(3)
Caladium bicolor / Vernacular names and synonyms / GLOBinMED
(4)
Survey of medicinal plants used in the region Northeast of Brazil / Maria de Fátima Agra,* Kiriaki Nurit Silva, Ionaldo José Lima Diniz Basílio, Patrícia, França de Freitas, José Maria Barbosa-Filho / Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy 18(3): 472-508, Jul./Set. 2008
(5)
ORNAMENTAL PLANTS WITH TOXIC AND/OR IRRITANT PROPERTIES. II.
/ Julia F. Morton, Director, Morton. Collectanea / FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 1962
(6)
Ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants of two ethnoecological regions of Cameroon
/ T. Jiofack*, C. Fokunang, N. Guedje, V. Kemeuze, E. Fongnzossie, B. A. Nkongmeneck, P. M. Mapongmetsem and N. Tsabang / International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences Vol. 2(3), pp. 60-79, March 2010
(7)
Ethno-Veterinary Practices of India with Particular Reference to Use of Plant Bio Resources in Animal Health Care / C Varshneya
(8)
Caladium bicolor / Common names / PIER
(9)
Phytochemical Composition of Caladium Species / Ekanem B.E., Osuagwu A.N., P. Aikpopodion, Ekpo I.A., Agbor R.B. and Ibiang, Y.B. / Global Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, 1(1): 132-135, 2013
(10)
Caladium bicolor / Synonyms / The Plant List
(11)
Caladium plant poisoning / MedlinePlus
(12)
Phytochemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Leaves and Tubers of Three Caladium Species / Emmanuel E. Essien*, Imo E. Jacob, Paul S. Thomas / International Journal of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products (IJMPNP), Volume 1, Issue 2, July - September 2015, PP 24-30
(13)
Membrane Stabilizing And Antimicrobial Activities Of Caladium Bicolor And Chenopodium Album / Mohammad Kamruzzaman Biswas, Shakil Ahammad Mridha, Mohammad A. Rashid and Tasnuva Sharmin / IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences, Volume 6, Issue 5 (May. – Jun. 2013), PP 62-65
(14)
Ethno- Medical Uses of Plants in the Treatment of Various Skin Diseases in Ovia North East, Edo State, Nigeria / R.K.A. Egharevba and M.I. Ikhatua / Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 4(1): 58-64, 2008
(15)
Studies on the effect of pH on the sorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions by Caladium bicolor (Wild Cocoyam) biomass / Michael Horsfall Jnr. and Ayebaemi I. Spiff / Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, Vol.7 No.3, Issue of December 15, 2004
(16)
Antidiarrhoeal activity of aqueous leaf extract of Caladium bicolor (Araceae) and its possible mechanisms of action / Olanrewaju A. Salako, Abidemi J. Akindele, Omotoyosi M. Shitta, Olajumoke O. Elegunde, Olufunmilayo O. Adeyemi / Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 176, 24 December 2015, Pages 225–231 / doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.10.035
(17)
Methanolic extract of Caladium bicolor leaves against selected clinical isolates / Uche Fidelia Ijeoma, Onuchukwu Dickson et al / GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences / eISSN: 2581-3250 / CODEN (USA):GBPSC2
(18)
Caladium bicolor: Heart of Jesus / Invasive Species Compendium / CABI
(19)
Sub-acute toxicity of Caladium bicolor (Aiton) leaf extract in Wistar rats / Dayo Rotimi Omotoso, Ibifuro Brown, Itohan Grace Okojie / Journal of Phytology, 12: pp 77-81 / SOI: 10.25081/jp.2020.v12.6511
(20)
Evaluation of some neuropharmacological effects of Calamus bicolor Aiton (Araceae_ leaf extracts in mice
/ Abigail M Akhigbemen et al / Metab Brain Dis., 2019; 34(2): pp 537-544 / DOI: 10.1007/s11011-019-0390-z / PMID: 30729385
(21)
Safety profile of Caladium bicolor leaf extract: Subacute toxicological profile of Caladium bicolor Aiton (Araceae) methanolic leaf extract in rat
/ AbigailM Akhigbemen et al
(22)
Antiangiogenic, antitoxic, and antioxidant properties of meethanolic extracts of Caladium bicolor (Aiton) Venten
/ John P S Tosoc, Victoria Frediles et al / Human & Veterinary Medicine: International Journal of the Bioflux Society, 8(1)
(23)
Caladium / Wikipedia
(24)
Caladium bicolor / CABI

 

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)

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