Cobra lily
Arisaema speciosum

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A tuber plant. It is 60 cm long. The rhizome is 7-9 cm long by 2.5-6 cm wide. The leaf stalk is stout and mottled red-brown. There is one leaf which is divided into 3 leaflets. These are triangular or oval shaped. They have red edges. They are 20 cm long by 13 cm wide. The flower appears below the leaves. The bract around the flower is hooded and dark red. It has white stripes. It is 20 cm long. It is curved inwards and has a thread like tip. The fleshy flower stalk is yellowish-pink. It is 50 cm long.

There are about 150-170 Arisaema species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. It grows in broadleaf forests between 2400-2800 m altitude in southern China. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, Indochina, Malaysia, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The corm (rhizome) is eaten but only after repeated boiling. This is to remove oxalates.

Edible parts

Corm, root, buds

How it is grown

It can be grown from the corm or pieces of the rhizome.

Its other names

Local names

Bankh, Gurbo, Kiralu, Kiri-ki-kuri, Samo-ki-khumb, Sapko makai, Sarpa ko makai, Tel-hawng, Thin nam tinh

Synonyms

Arum speciosum Wallich; Arisaema eminent School; Arisaema speciosum var. eminens (Schott) Engler;