Aroids (the family Araceae)

[johnw]

A little one open today.
Pinellia ternata

'

How strange, it's in flower here as well.

johnw

[fredg]

Why is that strange John? 

[Pascal B]

Pix of Arisaema taiwanense currently in flower, the second picture is to show the fungus-shaped appendix tip which is characteristic for this species. The third picture is of a tropical oddity from Laos. Everybody thinks of the big stinker Amorphophallus titanum when one hears that genus name, the plant on this picture Amorphophallus  ongsakuliiis the other extreme within the genus hardly measuring 15 cm high when fully grown. The flower in reality is only 3 cm and tops the finely divided, fern-like leaves.

PS. The weedy Pinellia ternata is in flower in my collection too, it is the normal flowering time for it.

[johnw]

Why is that strange John? 

Because you're in England and I'm in Nova Scotia where spring is much slower. You're supposed to be 4-6 weeks ahead of us.

johnw

[fredg]

You're supposed to be 4-6 weeks ahead of us.

I could claim it was a long hard, late winter but Pinellia are always late anyway.

[Pascal B]

2 other  species in flower here, Arisaema ovale is a close relative of Arisaema amurense. The A. intermedium on the picture has the long flagellate spathe appendix that gave rise to forma biflaggelatum. As it is just part of the variation it doesn't deserve a separate status but does make it more attractive

[fredg]

The third picture is of a tropical oddity from Laos. Everybody thinks of the big stinker Amorphophallus titanum when one hears that genus name, the plant on this picture is the other extreme within the genus hardly measuring 15 cm high when fully grown. The flower in reality is only 3 cm and tops the finely divided, fern-like leaves.

But does it smell?
It's very noticable that scent / smell / guff / pong is rarely mentioned in nursery descriptions 

[Pascal B]

But does it smell?
It's very noticable that scent / smell / guff / pong is rarely mentioned in nursery descriptions 

Not really. Usually Amorphophallus flower for 3-5 days but none of these days I noticed any smell. It is on my window sill in the living room so if it had some smell I would have noticed it. But to be honest, with an Amorphophallus I don't really mind if it doesn't smell, as far as I know only a handfull species from that genus smell pleasant, the rest smell like rotting meat or similar.
Today however I did notice a strong smell on one of my forms of Arisaema amurense (the one on the picture underneath) but I honestly can't describe it other than "pungent but not unpleasant and a bit spicy"....

[TheOnionMan]

Today however I did notice a strong smell on one of my forms of Arisaema amurense (the one on the picture underneath) but I honestly can't describe it other than "pungent but not unpleasant and a bit spicy"....

I have forms of A. amurense with rather unpleasant aroma of "wet dog".

[Carlo]

Love the Amorphophallus ongsakuliiis, Pascal. I grow A. obscurus, another tiny member of the genus. Little if any odor, especially compared to the larger species (and you don't have to go all the way to titanum to get really smelly....).

[ArnoldT]

This one is getting smaller each year.

[Lesley Cox]

My A. candidissimum is also getting smaller each year - and later, not up until well after mid summer last time but I realized its place is very dry after successive years of drought and the soil is dust dry over concrete dry, beneath about 5cm. I think it has simply not been able to get roots well down and growing properly. I've moved most of it and hope for better things. But we have now had good rain for the first time in maybe 4 years so many things should do better from the coming spring.

[ArnoldT]

One of the Arisaemas in the same bed was attached by a root mealy bug.  I dug it up and treated and replanted and that one is doing fine.  I'm think I may have to have a look at the  A. candidissimum to see if there is another infestation.

See:

http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/MealyBugs

[fredg]

Little Arisaema flavum has made its late appearance again.
This little plant is a proper coloniser.

[Lesley Cox]

Little Arisaema flavum has made its late appearance again.
This little plant is a proper coloniser.

One I like very much, especially when it has its round heads of red fruits. I have 2 forms. The taller is about 60cms high and the other, ssp. abbreviatum, only 10-12cms. The flowers on both are more yellow than in your picture Fred.