AMORPHOPHALLUS I had been intrigued with Amorphophallus plants for several years, but had given up trying to grow one.Way too rare and exotic, I thought.So imagine my surprise when I found one in full foliage at Ward’s.And imagine my surprise when, two years later, it actually bloomed!
(Amorphophallus konjac) is a member of a large genus of some 170 tropical tuberous herbaceous plants from the Arum family (Aracea).It is also known as corpse plant, because its flower smells strongly of rotting flesh.(I had to quarantine it in a closed room for several days. Even the dogs wanted nothing to do with it.)
“Amorpho” actually means “deformed”, and you know what phallus means.It is native to warm subtropical and tropical eastern Asia, from Japan and China south to Indonesia.The Japanese use its large, starchy corm to create flour and gelatin.It is also sold as an herbal supplement to “promote a regular and cleansed colon”.
All in all, an interesting and entertaining addition to our family! Ellen Greendale
