Unlike some species, the seedlings were robust from the moment they broke ground, grew on for a couple of years and were planted out in the new woodland garden in 2001, where they bloomed the next spring.
The two large, trifoliate leaves remain distinctive until late fall, when they turn yellow before collapsing with the first hard frosts.
The curious helmet-like inflorescence makes it simple to identify this easily grown species. Like A. sikokianum, it emerges so early in spring that it can get frost bitten if not protected. I just line up a row of large nursery pots by my plants to cover them if frost threatens. This looks a bit odd in the garden, but it seems to work.
Found in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and eastern China in woodland clearings at low altitudes near the sea, it is amazing that it is being grown successfully in USDA zone 5.
Barry's plants were tall and Gusman says they can reach slightly over forty-two inches (110 cm) in height, but my guys have only made it to about twelve inches (30 cm). Perhaps this is age related.
The typical spathe color is purple and white striped, with deep purple strongly recurved spathe mouth margins (apologies that this detail is too dark to see well in this photo.)
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The spathe mouth structure is a bit easier to see on these green-striped forms. In Barry's garden, both color forms were growing together. I do not know whether this occurs randomly in populations of this species, like the variations in A. triphyllum. Gusman says that they are found in the wild growing together, but what I want to know is whether only the green form produces seed that turns out to be green or whether a purple form can produce seed that would yield the green form. If anybody knows, please tell me.
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Although bloom time is very early, seed doesn't ripen until quite late in November, so you must gather it before hard frost. Some references indicate that these plants don't produce fruiting stems very often.
| A rather dark image illustrates the highly decorative mottled cataphylls surrounding the stout petiole and pseudostem, which can be green or purplish.
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Next time, Arisaema's neglected cousin, Pinellia...see ya' later!
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