Small smelly aroid

[Rodger Whitlock]

Anyone recognize this?

I haven't a clue where it came from but it comes up, flowers, and fruits faithfully. If it's anything unusual, I'll collect the seed.

[Paul T]

Rodger,

It doesn't bring to mind any of the Arums (although could be a species I don't grow), but I'd be more inclined to think it was one of the Typhoniums.  As to which species, I can't help there, but there are around 50 or so from memory.  Hopefully that might point you in the right direction, or trigger a memory as to it's name?

[Rodger Whitlock]

It doesn't bring to mind any of the Arums (although could be a species I don't grow), but I'd be more inclined to think it was one of the Typhoniums.

Probably not a typhonium because it's entirely hardy and the typhoniums are evidently tropical. Granted, we have mild winters here, but we do get periods of sub-freezing weather many years. This last winter the nighttime temperature dropped to -12C or so a couple of nights.

[Lesley Cox]

Is Arisarum vulgare a possibility? Not sure what it looks like.

[Paul T]

Rodger,

Not all Typhoniums are tropical.  There are at least a few Australian ones at least that definitely aren't.  I have Typhonium brownii that grows outside for me here without a problem.  The flower shape reminds me of yours, although it doesn't hood over like that, and the leaves are very similar.  That is why I suggested Typhoniums.

Lesley,

Don't you guys have Arisarum vulgare in NZ?  I love it for it's spotty leaves and the little cobra flowers held above the foliage looking out at you, even if it does spread a little too enthusiastically at times.  Definitely very different to Rodger's beastie.

[Tony Willis]

If it is only a few inches high it could be Arum balansanum which is very rare in cultivation but one of the daintier ones. That would also be hardy.

[Rodger Whitlock]

If it is only a few inches high it could be Arum balansanum which is very rare in cultivation but one of the daintier ones. That would also be hardy.

The flowers are about 6" high, perhaps more. They've faded now, of course, so that's an estimate based on a rather hazy memory. I wouldn't call it a small plant; comparable in scale to Arisaema triphyllum or Podophyllum hexandrum.

If you see "Small smelly aroid" in the seed lists this coming winter, you'll know what it looks like and where it came from!

[Arum]

I think this plant is Typhonium diversifolium. I myself have Typhonium blumeii which is another delightful small form of that species. Both have the same foliage as your unidentified aroid. I think 'small smellie' is beautiful - but then I am an aroidaholic.
Edna

[Lesley Cox]

A warm welcome to the Forum Edna, or at least to the worshipful company of posters, as distinct from lurkers. About time we had a bigger Canterbury contingent. It will be good to have your experience and insight with aroids.

[Rodger Whitlock]

I think this plant is Typhonium diversifolium. I myself have Typhonium blumeii which is another delightful small form of that species. Both have the same foliage as your unidentified aroid. I think 'small smellie' is beautiful - but then I am an aroidaholic.

If your avatar is that Typhonium, Edna, I'm pretty sure my plant isn't the same due to the difference in flower conformation.

[Paul T]

Rodger,

I'd be guessing that her avatar is an Arum, given here ID.    My Typhonium brownii has a distinctly different shape to the flower than any Arum I have come across, more rounded at the tip in particular.  This is what reminded me of yours and why I suggested that genus.  I only have limited experience of Typhoniums though, having only seen mine and T. eliosurum in the flesh (so to speak).  Both were different to Arums I had seen, flower-wise.

[Arum]

Thank you Leslie for your welcome and your kind words. I am loving being a member of this forum. To log in each day & have access to such valuable knowledge, informative experiences and images provided by all these interesting like-minded plants-people is very rewarding indeed.
Rodger, you can have 'small smellie' ID'd on the International Aroid Soc. website. In 2005 I posted pics of a little aroid a friend had grown from seed collected in Eastern Nepal at a height of 4500 to 4800 metres A.S.L. Turned out to be T. diversifolium - some of the 'flowers' were unusually striped, but the majority were the usual liver coloured.It was such an interesting experience. And yes I do doubt now that your plant is this particular species but I too would like very much to know just what it is. Do hope you get an abundance of seed.
Cheers Edna

[kiwi]

Whatever it is, its a stunner! Look forward to the ID.

[Rodger Whitlock]

Rodger, you can have 'small smellie' ID'd on the International Aroid Soc. website.

Thank you, Edna, for this pointer. I've sent them the photo and they've posted it in their ID section. Now to see what it turns out to be.

I'm convinced that it's an arum of some sort: the overall form and habit is very much like Arum italicum and A. dioscoridis.

[Paul T]

Rodger,

Arum dioscoridis must look very different in your part of the world to here then, by a long way.  Much more elongated flowers, as the foliage dies down here, nowhere near as "rounded" as i your pic.  It'll be fascinating to see what it ends up being, as it doesn't match anything I have grown.  I very much like it though with it's rounder flowers.  Very nice, whatever it is.