Arisaema griffithii

Arisaema griffithii, known as the cobra plant or cobra lily, is a cousin of arums. It is an original bulbous plant, very resistant to cold, with exceptional flowering. It is the patterns that adorn the imposing spathe of the flower head that attract all the attention; their very reptilian appearance is remarkable in a mass of undergrowth or a slightly shaded pot.

Arisaema griffithii belongs to the family of araceae. It is native to the Indian mountains of the Himalayas. It is a species whose flower rises to 45 cm (18in) above the ground, sheltered by a leaf perched at 60 cm (24in) high. The floral stem emerges in early April, showing a flower head of a central spadix of tiny fleshy flowers surrounded by a widely flared funnel spathe. The neck of the funnel is larger than usual and has a curved end. It is decorated with a pattern resembling snake skin, making it attractive. This spathe has a thick texture in purple, black, green, and red colours when backlit, striped and cracked with light veins. The plant's interior is hard to see, and it has a nearly black spadix. The flower's stem has one leaf with a double umbrella shape that is bright green and wrinkled, with prominent veins. Each plant has only one gender, and if a male plant of any species is planted nearby, the female plant will create red fruit by the end of the season.

The flower heads resembling the head of a cobra gave this arisema its English name, Chinese Cobra lily. During the vegetative rest in summer, in the form of an elongated cylindrical tuber, Arisaema can be left in the ground.

Arisaema griffithii is a curiosity that can be planted in cool but well-drained soil, in light and humid undergrowth, or on the edge of undergrowth, where the sun is abundant but not scorching. It is a beautiful and architectural potted plant that pairs well with ferns, epimediums, Begonia grandis, rhododendrons, azaleas, or oriental lilies, but all parts of the plant are toxic.