Arisaema quinatum
| Arisaema quinatum | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Arisaema quinatum (common name: indian turnip)
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: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The plant is closely related to A. triphyllum, and is seen as no more than a form of that species by some botanists[2]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a cool moist peaty soil in the bog, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade[1][3]. Prefers a loamy or peaty soil[4] and will tolerate a sunny position if the soil is moist but not water-logged and the position is not too exposed[4][3].
Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[3]. Plants need protection from slugs[3].
Most species in this genus are dioecious, but they are sometimes monoecious and can also change sex from year to year.
Range: South-eastern N. America - Georgia to Louisiana, Tennessee and North Carolina.
Habitat: Woods and moist rich soils[5].
Edibility: Root - cooked[6]. It must be well dried or thoroughly cooked before being eaten, 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
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ Flora of North America.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Small, John. Manual of the Southeastern Flora. Blackburn Press, 2004.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.