If you like the smell of death and decay in the garden, this one might be of interest to you. The little sister of the giant corpse flower.The Voodoo lily is a member of the philodendron family that grows from a tuber. Each tuber produces a single tripartite leaf on a tall, mottled stem. Voodoo lily is a perennial generally grown as a curiosity for its interesting foliage.
But be aware; When in bloom it produces an odor like a dead animal, the smell intended to attract the carrion flies that are its natural pollinators. If this is objectionable the flower can be cut off or covered with a plastic bag to confine the smell. Pollinated flowers will be followed by a round berry.
As a tender plant, the leaf is very frost sensitive (although buried tubers are supposedly hardy to zone 6), and must be grown indoors as a house plant (oh joy!) or as a seasonal outdoor plant. It is easy to plant the tubers outdoors once the soil has warmed and dig them again in the fall once the weather cools. Also known as konjak, konjaku, konnyaku potato, devil's tongue, voodoo lily, snake palm, or elephant yam.
This variety is grown for food. The corm has dietary and medicinal uses and provides several vitamins, but must be used only after careful research.
Definitely worth growing for it's unique display and 'fragrant' experience, a true conversation plant.
Bulbs available here
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