Practical
Plants

Arisaema flavum

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Araceae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.35 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.

Young leaves - cooked and used as a vegetable[6]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

Expectorant. It is used in the treatment of chronic tracheitis, bronchiectasis, tetanus and epilepsy[7].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Expectorant

Material uses

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

Used as a pesticide[7]. No further details are given, but the report might be referring to the tubers.

Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas to China. N. Africa - Yemen.
Habitat
Mountain slopes, farmland edges and roadsides in sub-alpine steppe, 3500 - 4300 metres in Tibet[7]. Locally common in Kashmir on humus-rich soils[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

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 moist peaty soil in the bog, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade[2][4]. 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][4]. This species is the most drought tolerant member of the genus. Plants are nearly hardy in Britain, they normally succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[1]. Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[4]. Plants need protection from slugs[4]. Most species in this genus are dioecious, but they are sometimes monoecious and can also change sex from year to year. The flowers of this species are usually either monoecious or all male[5].

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

  3. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  6. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

  7. Zhang Jingwei. Alpine Plants of China. Gordon & Breach. New York. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-677-60190-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

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