Description
A tall species (60-120 cm) with snakeskin-mottled stems bearing a leaf divided into a circular parasol of about 8, broad, wavy-edged leaflets. The “flower” held below is purple and white tightly wrapped around on emergence, to make what looks like a conical bud but unfurling a little to a purple and white striped tubular spathe which still hides the spadix appendix. The “invisibility” of the spadix is what gives the plant its mouthful of a name.
The striking foliage and rather distinctive flowers set this quietly attractive species apart.
It soon makes clumps by means of underground increase and by stolons that can pop up 40cm away. May. Garden soil, in half shade is idea but not a difficult plant.
Nepal and Indian Himalayas.
