Cobra lily
Arisaema leschenaultii

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A climber. It has a fattened corm at the base. This is 1-6 cm across. The leaves have 7-12 leaflets that are 15-25 cm long by 5-7 cm wide. They are sword shaped and taper to the tip. There is a vein along the edge. The leaf stalk is 70 cm long and 1-3 cm thick. There is a spathe that wraps around the flower. This is 10-22 cm long The spadix or stalk with the flowers is 11-15 cm long. The female flowers are in the lower section.

It has antioxidant activity and alkaloids and therefore medicinal uses.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows on the edges of evergreen forests and in grasslands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Northeastern India

How it is used for food

The tuberous roots are boiled and eaten. They are roasted and pounded and soaked in ash water for 3 days then washed and eaten with salt and chillies.

Edible parts

Rhizome, root, corm

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dhei, Paambukkodi, Pambucholam, Telhawng, Telong

Synonyms

Arisaema caudatum E. Barnes & C.E.C. Fisch; Arisaema caudatum Engl.; Arisaema filicaudatum N. E. Br.; Arisaema huegelii Schott; Arisaema longicaudatum Blatt.; Arisaema papillosum Steud. ex chott; Arisaema peltatum C. E. C. Fisch.; Arisaema pulchrum N. E. Br.;