Arisaema erubescens (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Flowering period: Late Spring
Soil: Moist, humus rich
Eventual Height: 80cm
Eventual Spread: 40cm
Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Araceae
Arisaema erubescens is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its glossy dark green leaves are deeply lobed. Its leaflets are elliptic with entire margins, up to 25cm long and 3cm broad. Its flowers are white/ purple striped spathes and up to 7cm tall. Its red fruit are berries become visible as its spathe withers on female plants. Its roots are tubers which produce a single stalk containing two leaves and a cobra-like flower. This plant goes dormant during the dryer summer months.
Arisaema erubescens Flower (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Arisaema erubescens, commonly known as Cobra lily or Arisaema, is native to most of China and Nepal. In its native habitat it grows in mixed woodland.
The etymological root of the binomial name Arisaema is derived from ari an ancient name for Arum and aima meaning ‘blood’. Erubescens is derived from the Latin erubesco meaning ‘redden’.
The landscape architect may find Arisaema erubescens useful as an unusual tropical looking plant for lightly shady areas.
Arisaema erubescens Leaf (07/06/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Arisaema erubescens flowers are pollinated by flies.
Arisaema erubescens prefers moist, humus rich. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Arisaema erubescens requires little maintenance.
