Arisaema griffithii
(Cobra Lily)
Family - Araceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Eastern Himalayas
Year of Introduction - 1879
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H3
Height - 60cm or more
Width - 30cm
Location - The Stumpery
Description: A tuberous Perennial with an upright habit. Each tuber produces two trifoliate, Basal Leaves, each with three ovate to Diamond-shaped leaflets that are mid-green, heavily veined and marked with deep red around the margins. The very striking inflorescence is composed of a spathe and spadix. The creamy white spadix holds the small, inconspicuous flowers and is surrounded by a large showy, hooded spathe that folds over at the top and gives the inflorescence a cobra-like appearance. The spathe has pale green and deep maroon (nearly black) stripes at the base and mottling on the upper portion. The tip of the hood has a point and a long, tail-like thread that trails to the ground and has a slight scent that helps to attract pollinators towards the spadix. The inflorescence is held singly below the foliage and is produced in late spring and early summer.
Flower:
The inflorescence is composed of a creamy-white spadix and a very showy hooded spathe. The spathe has pale green and deep maroon stripes at the base and is mottled at the tip. The hood is wide and folds over at the top. The tip of the hood has a point and a long thread that trails to the ground and has a slight scent that helps attract pollinators. The inflorescences are held singly atop upright stems and are produced in May and June (sometimes earlier).
Flower colour: Maroon, green, white
Flower shape: Spathe and spadix inflorescence held singly
Flowering time: May, June
Foliage:
Large showy, trifoliate leaves have three ovate to Diamond-shaped leaflets. The leaflets are mid-green, veined and have deep red margins. Each plant produced two Basal Leaves with long stalks.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Trifoliate with diamond-shaped to ovate leaflets
Poison Information:
This plant may cause discomfort if ingested.
Propagation:
Division, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained. Arisaema griffithii prefers a soil with an acidic pH.