Elephant ear is a common name for plants that have large, ear-shaped leaves. These leaves are often used for ornamental purposes in gardens. However, there are several synonyms for elephant ear that are used depending on the species of the plant. Some of these synonyms include taro, Caladium, Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma. Taro is a term used for plants of the genus Colocasia that are cultivated for their edible corms. Caladium is a term used for plants of the genus Caladium that are often grown for their colorful foliage. Alocasia and Xanthosoma are other terms used for species of plants that are also known as elephant ear.