Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch ex Matsum & Hayata

 

 

The Voodoo Lily,  Snake Plant, Dragon Plant

 

Amorphophallus konjac receives one of its common names, "Snake Plant", from the pattern on its petiole (stem).  This unusual aroid is grown in many Eastern Asian countries as a food crop and is extremely popular in Japan as a supplement in soups and stews. 

To prepare it for cooking it is reduced to a block with a gelatin appearance and sold like tofu in many stores.  Supposedly it will help clean toxins from the body.  As for me, I don't think I'll be digging mine up and cooking them any time soon! 

Amorphophallus konjac is found in nature from China and Vietnam.  The plant's average height (see the specimen in our garden, right) is about 4 feet (120cm), but the species can grow taller if planted in too deep shade.  A friend in Florida once had several reach close to twice that height when he didn't realize the corms were left in the ground next to some very tall plants. 

A. konjac produces a large divided leaf (its big brother is Amorphophallus titanum which can get more than 20 feet (6 meters) tall) and the leaf is said to grow up to 8 feet (2.5 meters) wide.  The plants grow from corms similar to a bulb.  Once mature, the plant will produce a wildly beautiful spathe which is a deep burgundy looking almost plastic and quite exquisite.  However, this is one of the "stinky" plants and when it does bloom you will want to get it out in the yard and well away from your home!  You should expect it to go underground during much of the winter months.  Many growers grow them in large pots with well draining soil.  It should be watered often in the summer but only occasionally in the winter.  If you are a cold weather grower, this plant is cold hardy and will survive the winters outdoors as far north as Kansas City, possibly further north. 

Our largest specimen was a gift from our webmaster Robert Black and his wife Donna.  Robert is the President of 'Spartanburg Angels' ( www.spartanburgangels.com ), which is a mission to the needy children of Roatan, Honduras.  His website is worth visiting.  The plant in our photo is approximately 4 feet (120cm) tall with a 3 foot (90cm) spread and has produced an inflorescence only once.   We now have a total of 10 specimens planted in our NW Arkansas garden and they continue to survive every winter.

Pollinate your own Aroids!
 As it occurs in nature and by any horticulturist