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Sauromatum
venosum or Sauromatum guttatum, Arum cornutum, Typhonium
venosum. This tropical-looking aroid is a relative of
arisaemas native of India, Africa, and Asia.
It's a very unusual, shade loving plant that, late winter
or early spring, produces a tubular shaped, purplish
green flower with dark purple markings which surround a
blackish purple central spike, making the spike look like
it has been provided its own vase! The peculiar
inflorescence is the first sign of life...it's just life
from another planet. Each flower stalk is 3' tall and
only 1" wide. As it unfurls, the inside is patterned
with rich violet and yellow...the ultimate in weird! This
curious, tropical foliage and strange, yellow, arum-like
flower releases a foul odor for a short time after
opening. This emanation actually aims at attracting small
flies which will make it possible for the tiny flowers of
the inflorescence to be fertilized. Moreover, if there is
fecundation, your seedling will produce a pretty fruit
during the summer.
Following the bloom of the flower, large 2'-3', finger-like,
a lovely green leave emerges on a 2', purple mottled and
speckled, stems, providing an umbrella for its roots.
After flowering, a unique seed head (resembling an alien
space object...2" round) forms at the base of the
leaf. That head looks a bit like a red marshmallow stuck
on a stick.
Eventually, the bulbs multiply and make a nice colony.
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested. Handling
plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.
Hardiness zones: 6-11, (-20°C/-5°F, 4°C/40°F). A good
substrate to be used would be compose of: 33% of garden
ground, 33% of horticultural compost, 33% coarse sand.
During winter you need to keep the soil very dry,
sprinkle it very little. On the other hand, during summer,
keep the ground humid by watering as soon as the ground
is dry on 1cm on the surface. This plant likes the full
light without direct sun. Sauromatum venosum is suitable
for indoor growing.
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