Arisaema serratum
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Common Name: arisaema
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Araceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Native Range: Northeastern Asia
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Color: Green, Purple
Bloom Description: green and purple spathe with white stripes
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Fruit: Showy Fruit
Tolerates: Dense Shade
Uses: Rain Garden

Culture

Best grown in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Needs consistent moisture. Does poorly in heavy clay soils. Plant tubers about 3-4" deep. May be grown from seed, but may take 3-5 years before plants will flower.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Arisaema serratum is a tuberous woodland perennial that is native to Japan. It is closely related to the Jack-in-the-pulpit that is native to eastern North America (Arisaema triphyllum). It typically grows to 3-4' tall. Each tuber produces a single mottled stem containing two pedate leaves, each bearing 7-20 obovate to lanceolate leaflets (to 2-5" long). From the center of the leaf stalks rises a flower in spring. Each flower consists of a showy spathe (to 4-6" tall) with a hood that covers the inner upright yellow-green flower spike known as the spadix. Spathe is green or purple with white stripes. Plants go dormant in summer after flowering, except hermaphroditic flowering plants will produce a cluster of red berries in mid to late summer which become visible as the spathe withers. Stalks, leaves, flowers and fruits give this plant a tropical aura. Roots contain calcium oxalate (same chemical as in Diffenbachia or dumb cane) and are poisonous. This species is synonymous with and formerly known as Arisaema japonica.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Plant in groups. Best left undisturbed in shady woodland gardens, wild gardens or native plant areas.

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