Arisaema tortuosum
whipcord cobra lily
A tuberous perennial to 1.5m with two or three long-stalked leaves each divided into 5 to 17 narrow leaflets 15-20cm long. The flowers, carried above the leaves in late spring or early summer consist of hooded green spathes each with a very long, narrow, curved, purple or green spadix, outside of the spathe if if searching. As the leaves die down, the pollinated flower develops into a bright orange head of berries
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple | Green | Orange Red | |
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Araceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Arisaema are mostly tuberous perennials usually with palmately lobed leaves, and distinctive tubular, hooded spathes within which the tiny true flowers are clustered at the base of the club-like or filamentous spadix, followed by a spike of red berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Pakistan, India to S China & Myanmar
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in a cool site. In colder regions may need winter protection but tubers must not dry out when dormant
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Offsets may be removed in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and vine weevil
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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