Arisaema costatum
| Arisaema costatum | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Arisaema costatum
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame[1]. 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[1]. 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: Prefers a cool peaty soil in the bog, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade[2]. Prefers a loamy or peaty soil[3] and will tolerate a sunny position if the soil is moist but not water-logged and the position is not too exposed[3][2].
Plants are nearly hardy in Britain, they normally succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[3].
Tubers should be planted about 15cm deep[4]. Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[2]. Plants multiply quickly once they are established[2]. Plants need protection from slugs[2].
This species has very large leaves, to 40cm long[2].
Most species in this genus are dioecious, but they are sometimes monoecious and can also change sex from year to year.
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas in C. and E. Nepal.
Habitat: Wet cool woodlands and cliffs, often forming large colonies. Shrubberies, 2000 - 2600 metres[5]. Grasslands in forest areas at elevations of 2300-2400 metres[6].
Edibility: Root - cooked. It is boiled, dried and then ground into a powder[7][8]. The tuber is 3 - 5cm in diameter[6]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Pollinators: Flies
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Monoecious
Known Hazards: 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
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.