Arisaema utile
Arisaema utile | |
Light: | |
Moisture: | |
Hardiness: | 5 |
Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
Cross Pollinated | |
Height: | 2' |
Width: | 1' |
Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
Open Woods Forest | |
Native to: | |
Edible Rating: | |
Tea: | Yes |
Arisaema utile
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[2][1][3]. 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[4][3].
Tubers should be planted about 10cm deep[5]. Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[3]. Plants need protection from slugs[3].
Closely related to A. griffithii[6].
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 - Pakistan to Nepal and Bhutan.
Habitat: Forest openings at elevations of 1800 - 3700 metres in Nepal[6]. The margins of evergreen Tsuga forests, thickets at elevations of 2800-3100 metres[7].
Edibility: Leaves and flowering spathes - cooked as a potherb[6].
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.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Bulbs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.