Arisaema jacquemontii
| Arisaema jacquemontii | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| 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 |
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Arisaema jacquemontii
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 moist peaty soil in the bog, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade[1][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].
This is probably the hardiest of the Himalayan species and should succeed outdoors in a suitable position in many parts of the country[4]. Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[2]. Plants need protection from slugs[2].
Closely related to A. wardii.
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 - Afghanistan to S.E. Tibet.
Habitat: Shrubberies and rocky slopes in upper forest and lower alpine zones in the drier areas of the Himalayas, 2400 - 4000 metres[5].
Edibility: Root - cooked[6]. Used in the same ways as potatoes[7]. The tubers are 12 - 30mm in diameter[8]. The root must be thoroughly cooked or dried before use, see the notes above on toxicity.
Leaves - dried[6]. The leaves are fermented before being eaten in Nepal[7]. 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: Dioecious
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
Also Known As: A. cornutum. A. exile.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Bulbs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.