Thursday, January 23, 2014

Symplocarpus renifolius

The strangely attractive Symplocarpus renifolius is almost unheard of by European gardeners. Native to Asia, though more specifically to Korea, Manchuria, Russia and Japan, Symplocarpus renifolius is a species of flowering plants from the family Araceae. Also known as the arum family, it is a group of related monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix.
The genus is characterized by large leaves and a deep root system. Unusually they also produce contractile roots which are used for changing the plant's level with the ground!

Symplocarpus species grow from a rhizome and their leaves release a foul odour when crushed.

It grows in damp places, mainly in the open, although it is sometimes found under trees. It is often seen growing alongside stream but never submerged unless the surrounding ground is prone to flooding .

The flower is actually a modified leaf known as a spathe and appears in the early spring. Unlike most other flowering plants Symplocarpus renifolius are pollinated by flies. Using a sophisticated chemical reaction the spadix is able to produce heat which helps to release their rather pungent fragrance further afield.

The colour of the spathe and outer hood are purple. The spadix is also purple but the densely arranged flowers are yellow when they bloom. The large round cabbage-like foliage emerge after the flowers start to die back.

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