Dan,
The black one is Xanthosoma nigrum (syn. violaceum) The other one is also Xanthosoma but blade not exactly the shape of my sagittifolium, robustum, or atrovirens. The ultimate size may give a clue. Nigrum makes a beautiful six foot clump here in Dallas. They love the heat and humidity. BTW- These are new world plants that have made the round through India :-)

Keiko

I agree. I have never been to India but they must be very common there, (though not native). Im talking about X. violeceum. It seems like every Indian owned smaller scaled motel around here have X. violeceums planted outside. Either they are very common there and lots of people bring them over when they come here or our Indian population is rather small and they have been passed on from one friend to another...lol. Regardless they are a beautiful plant.
Michael M.

Thanks guys, I'm never sure when my friend sends me stuff sort of off the cuff like this :o) Dan