Practical
Plants

Arisaema costatum

a perennial member of the Arisaema genus in the family Araceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Araceae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Flies
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Flies

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant contains calcium oxylate crystals. These cause an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue if they are eaten but they are easily neutralized by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - cooked. It is boiled, dried and then ground into a powder[4][3]. The tuber is 3 - 5cm in diameter[7]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Root

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas in C. and E. Nepal.
Habitat
Wet cool woodlands and cliffs, often forming large colonies. Shrubberies, 2000 - 2600 metres[8]. Grasslands in forest areas at elevations of 2300-2400 metres[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame[2]. Stored seed remains viable for at least a year and can be sown in spring in the greenhouse but it will probably require a period of cold stratification. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 6 months at 15°c[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least a coupe of years until the corms are more than 20mm in diameter. Plant out into their permanent positions whilst they are dormant. Division of tubers when the plant dies down in late summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a cool peaty soil in the bog, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade[5]. Prefers a loamy or peaty soil[1] and will tolerate a sunny position if the soil is moist but not water-logged and the position is not too exposed[1][5]. Plants are nearly hardy in Britain, they normally succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[1]. Tubers should be planted about 15cm deep[6]. Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[5]. Plants multiply quickly once they are established[5]. Plants need protection from slugs[5]. This species has very large leaves, to 40cm long[5]. Most species in this genus are dioecious, but they are sometimes monoecious and can also change sex from year to year.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  7. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩1↩2

  8. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

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