Uses
Toxic parts
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
Notes
Tuber - it must be thoroughly dried or cooked before being eaten
[1][2][3][4][5][6]. The roots can be cut into very thin slices and allowed to dry for several months, after which they are eaten like potato chips, crumbled to make a cereal or ground into a cocoa-flavoured powder for making biscuits, cakes etc
[7][8]. They can also be pounded into a powder, this is thern left to dry for several weeks when it becomes safe to use
[9]. The root is up to 5cm long and 2cm wide
[10]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Material uses
A starch obtained from the roots is used as a stiffener for clothes
[11]. It is very harsh to the hands, causing blisters and swellings
[11].
The seeds have been used in rattles
[12].
The root is acrid, antiseptic, diaphoretic, expectorant, irritant and stimulant
[2][13][14][15][12]. It is harvested in early spring and dried for later use
[10]. The fresh root is considered to be too dangerous and intensely acrid to use, whilst the dried roots become inactive, so fresh, partially dried roots are used
[9]. Due to the potentially toxic nature of this plant, it should only be used internally under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[K].
The root was applied as a poultice on headaches, scrofulous sores, rheumatism, boils, abscesses and ringworm[14][12]. A decoction of the root has been used as a wash for sore eyes[12].
The root was used as a contraceptive by the N. American Indians. One teaspoonful of the dried powdered root in cold water was said to prevent conception for a week whilst two teaspoonfuls in hot water was said to induce permanent sterility
[9].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame
[16]. 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
[16]. 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.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Arisaema triphyllum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Prefers a cool peaty soil in the bog garden, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade
[17][16][18]. Prefers a loamy or peaty soil and will tolerate a sunny position if the soil is moist but not water-logged and the position is not too hot or exposed
[19][18].
Tubers should be planted about 10cm deep[20]. Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[18]. Plants need protection from slugs[18].
Most species in this genus are dioecious, but they are sometimes monoecious and can also change sex from year to year.
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Arisaema triphyllum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Arisaema triphyllum.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Arisaema triphyllum
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
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"image:Arisaema triphyllum flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Arisaema triphyllum flower.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
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References
-
? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
-
? 2.02.12.22.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
-
? 3.03.1 Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health (1973-00-00)
-
? 4.04.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
-
? 5.05.1 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
-
? 6.06.1 Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books ISBN 0-394-72811-4 (1979-00-00)
-
? 7.07.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
-
? 8.08.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
-
? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
-
? 10.010.110.210.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
-
? 11.011.111.2 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
-
? 12.012.112.212.312.412.5 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
-
? 13.013.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
-
? 14.014.114.2 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
-
? 15.015.1 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
-
? 16.016.116.2 Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
-
? Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30253-1 (1989-00-00)
-
? 18.018.118.218.318.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
-
? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
-
? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
-
? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
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