Arisaema thunbergii

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Arisaema thunbergii
Light:Full Sun Part Shade Full Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Cross Pollinated
Height:2'
Blooms:Mid Spring-Late Spring
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Medicinal Rating:
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Arisaema thunbergii

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 garden, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade[1][2]. 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[3][2].

Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[2]. Plants need protection from slugs[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 - Japan.

Medicinal: Alterative, anaesthetic, deobstruent, discutient, diuretic, expectorant, vulnerary[4]. The root is used[5].

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: Flagellarisaema thunbergii.

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  3. Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  4. Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
  5. Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.