Arisaema - Cobra Lilies

One of my favorite shade perennial plants which should be much more widely grown in temperate climates. Some tips for reproducing - the pulp from Arisaema fruit ( which needs cross pollination for 100% seed set ) needs to be cleaned in order for the seed to germinate. Wear plastic gloves to clean the pulp since the pulp is an irritant that can make the fingers numb for weeks. Seed germination is easy without a cold period being necessary. Unfortunately seed grown plants may take 2 to 4 years to bloom. When purchased as corms...they should be planted 6 ( 10 in zone 3 to 5 ) inches deep for the largest varieties to as shallow as 3 ( 6 in zone 3 to 5 ) inches for dwarf species. Plant them with the pointed end facing up. Small offsets near the base of these plants can also be carefully transplanted. Species that are clump forming can eventually be divided during autumn.
The soil should be mulched to protect from freeze/thaw during the first winter. Very well drained soil is a must for most species...in some areas it may be better to grow these in raised beds with a sandy loam mix.
These plants should never be eaten as they contain tiny sharp Calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate and swell the mucous membranes thus blocking the throat and even causing death by suffocation. These plants aren't very appetizing insect pests and diseases which very rarely occur. Slugs may sometimes attack the foliage, however is easily treatable by sprinkling Diotomaceous Earth around the plant.
Much underused, these are stunning landscape plants especially when planted in groups or next to garden ponds.




* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on May 7 2014 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

* photos taken on Apr 17 2016 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Arisaema amurense ( Amur Cobra Lily )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 1 feet, that is native to deciduous and mixed forests in far eastern Russia, northeast China and Korea.
Each plant has 2 to 3 leaves, each composed of 3 to 5 leaflets, up to 4.5 x 2.8 inches. The foliage is mid-green.
Extremely hardy, thriving north to zone 3 - it even grows in Lennigrad, Russia where it blooms in mid April. Easy to grow.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Arisaema angustatum
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 3 feet, that is native to forests and swamps in eastern China, Korea and Japan.
This plant has only 1 large tropical looking leaf with 7 to 23 ovate leaflets, up to 7 x 3.5 inches. The foliage is green with some gray marbling.
Flowers: reaching taller than the foliage to 4 feet in height borne in May to June. Spaethe: hooded and light green with white vertical stripes.
Hardy north to zone 5.

'Peninsulae'
taller to 5 feet in height. Fruits is bright red

'Peninsulae Variegata'
Spectacular foliage that is dark green heavily marked silver-white in the inside.
Foliage reaches to 3 feet in height and the flower stalks to 5 feet.

Arisaema candidissimum
A rare, clumping perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 2 feet, that is native to Tibet, northwest Yunnan and southwest Sichuan Provinces in western China.
This Cobra Lily grows fast and forms large colonies. It has a single large leaf tropical in appearance with 3 broadly-ovate leaflets, up to 14 x 12 ( rarely over 12 x 10 ) inches in size. The foliage is glossy green.
Flowers; Speathe - extremely showy and light pinkish white with white vertical stripes with the hood being white. The blooms are sweetly fragrant and appear during June to July. Some forms in cultivation are almost pure white in bloom while others are dark pink. It emerges late so it is a good idea to mix it in a planting with spring flowering bulbs.
Hardy from zones 5 to 9 ( 4 possible on protected site ) and requires moist, well drained soil. Excellent to plant along a shaded path.

Arisaema ciliatum
A beautiful stoloniferous spreading perennial, reaching a maximum size of 40 inches x 2 feet, that is native to pine-oak forests in Sichuan and northwest Yunnan Provinces in China.
The leaves are composed of 11 to 20 narrow elliptical leaflets, up to 20 x 0.5 inches.
The rich maroon-purple spathe is dramatically vertically striped emerald green to white.
Hardy zones 5a to 8.

Arisaema concinnum ( Chinese Cobra Lily )
A vigorous, stoloniferous perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5 feet, that is native to alpine meadows in the eastern Himalayas ( northern Burma, Tibet, Sichuan and Gansu provinces in China.
The large tropical looking leaves are composed of 7 to 13 lance to elliptical leaflets, up to 12 inches in length. Flowers include a huge yellow spaethe. Hardy north to zone 6 and multiplies well. The Chinese Cobra Lily can tolerate as low as -15 F if soil is dryish during winter.
Multiplies well.

Arisaema consanguineum
A spectacular, moderate growing, non-clumping perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 2 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to from the Himalayas to western China as well as Taiwan and southeast Asia.
This plant has only 1 huge tropical leaf ( up to 3 feet across ) that is tropical in appearance with 11 to 22 radiating green narrow leaflets to 16 x 1 inch with extremely long drooping tips.
Flowers: spaethes - vary from purple with white stripes to green
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( 4b with very thick winter mulch ) needing moist well drained soils

* photos taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA



'Himalayan Form'
moderate growing with large green spaethes to 14 inches in length.

'Perfect Wave'
To 4 feet. Leaflet is glaucous blue-gray with leaflet center brushed silver.

'Poseidon'
Massive plant to 4 feet! Leaflet is a steely blue-green with pronounced silver center.

'Red Form'
spaethe purple striped with white.

Arisaema costatum
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 3.5 feet ( 2 feet more typical ), that is native to the Himalayas from central Nepal to Tibet.
The leaves, up to 20 inches in length, are composed of 3 leaflets, up to 12 inches in length, and resemble that of Arisaema speciosum but are very prominently ribbed beneath. The foliage is rich glossy green, turning to deep yellow during autumn. it is late to appear, often in early summer.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( possibly hardy in zone 6 )

Arisaema dracontium ( Green Dragon )
A clumping perennial native to rich woodlands, wet forests and river valleys in eastern North America ( from eastern Nebraska to eastern Minnesota to central Michigan to Goderich, Ontario to Stratford, Ontario to Toronto, Ontario to Montreal, Quebec to Massachusetts; south to central Texas to central Florida ). Endangered in Ontario; it was abundant in Essex County as well as Wayne County, Michigan and the Ohio shore during the 1800s. It is also endangered in Nebraska, Minnesota, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The Green Dragon reaches up to 4 x 2 feet in size and should be planted to form small colonies as it grows in nature. Moderate in growth rate.
This plant only has one huge leaf tropical in appearance, each with 5 to 15 oblong green leaflets to 10 x 4 inches in size.
Flowers: spaethe - bright green spadix - white at base. The Green Dragon blooms from May to June and the flowers are followed by showy orange-red berries.
Hardy from zone 3 to 8 and grows easily on moist, fertile soil in shade.

* photos taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Aug 1 2022 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* Photo taken by Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

'Large Form'
Massive and tropical in appearance growing to over 5 feet with over 12 leaflets per leaf. "A Green Dragon on Steroids" Offered by Gardens North in Canada.

Arisaema elphas
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 2.5 feet, that is native to Bhutan, southwest & southern China and Burma.
The leaves are composed of 3 ovate leaflets, up to 5.5 x 5 inches in size. The foliage is green.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Arisaema erubescens
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 40 inches, that is native to central and southern China as well as Bhutan, northeast India and southeast Asia.
The leaves are composed of 18 to 23 radiating leaflets, up to 11 x 0.8 inches in size.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Arisaema fargesii ( Chinese Dragon )
A large, very fast growing, stunning, clumping perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 3 feet, that is native to western and southern China.
This plant has only one huge tropical looking leaf each with 3 broadly ovate, glossy bright green leaflets to 18 x 11 inches in size. The leaves turn golden-yellow in fall.
Flowers: spaethe - deep purple with vertical white stripes from June to July
Requires moist well drained soils. Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photos taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

'Big Mama'
Huge leaves reaching up 3 feet across!

* photo taken on March 28 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC


Arisaema flavum ( Yellow Cobra Lily )
A vigorous perennial, reaching a maximum height of 2.5 feet ( 1.5 feet more typical ), that is native from the Himalayas to western China as well as mountains of Ethiopia, Yemen and Oman.
The Yellow Cobra Lily has 2 leaves each with 5 to 15 radiating oblong, green leaflets, up to 5 x 2 inches. The foliage remains until late summer.
Flowers: speathe - pale yellow with the hood yellow-green outside and purple inside.
Flowers appear from June to early July.
Hardy from zone 4 to 9 requiring moist, well drained soil growing in sun or shade.

Arisaema galeatum
A spectacular perennial, reaching a maximum height of 55 inches, that is native to the Himalayas from eastern India to western China. This plant originates from a massive bulb which can weigh up to 1 pound.
The leaves are similar to that of Arisaema speciosum but have a white central vein.
The flowers, up to 12 inches in length, have a thread-like whip, up to 20 inches in length.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

Arisaema griffithii
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 feet x 32 inches, that is native to the Himalayas from India to western China.
The leaves are composed of 3 leaflets, up to 28 x 8 ( rarely over 18 ) inches in size. Each tuber produces 2 leaves.
Hardy zones 6 to 9. A native of mountain climates, it thrives in the cool summers of Ireland.

Arisaema heterophyllum
A non-clumping perennial, reaching a maximum height of 5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to most of China ( except Tibet ) as well as Korea and Japan.
The leaves are composed of 11 to 21 leaflets, up to 12 x 2.5 inches. The foliage is bright green.
This plant is very late to emerge in spring so it is recommended to use Arum as a companion plant.
The flowers are followed by attractive fruits.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD


Arisaema iyoanum
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 ( rarely over 2 ) feet, that is native to mountain woods in Japan. It is endangered in the wild.
The leaves are composed of 9 to 17 narrowly-ovate leaflets that are up to 9.5 inches in length. The foliage is bright green.
The flowers are bright green speathes, up to 6 inches in length, which appear during late spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

Arisaema kiushianum ( Kyushu Cobra Lily )
A clumping perennial, reaching up to 16 inches in height, that is native to mountain forests in Japan.
The leaves are composed of 7 to 13 elliptical to obovate leaflets that are up to 12 x 1.6 ( rarely over 8 ) inches in size. The foliage is glossy bright green.
The flowers are white ( with deep purple striping ) spaethes, up to 5 inches long, which appear during late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 9.

Arisaema jacquemontii
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 32 inches, that is native to high elevations of the Himalayas from Afghanistan to Tibet; south to India and Bangledesh.
It emerges late in spring with 1 or 2 leaves the are digitate with 5 to 9 narrow, long pointed, oblong leaflets, up to 7 x 3 inches.
The flowers include a bright green spaethe striped white.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 preferring partial shade and cool, moist woodland conditions.

Arisaema nepenthoides
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 feet ( typically around 3 feet ) that is native from the central Himalayas to western China and northern Burma.
The large leaves are composed of 5 to 7 leaflets, up to 12 x 2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 5 to 8

Arisaema ringens ( Ringed Cobra Lily )
A clumping perennial, reaching up to 4 feet in height, that is native to China ( Jiangsu & Zhejiang Provinces ), Korea and Japan.
This plant has 2 huge tropical looking leaves to 50 inches wide each with 3 large, broadly ovate, very glossy mid green leaflets to 38 x 8 inches in size. Typically grown more for its spectacular foliage than for its flowers. The leaves are thick and can last through hot dry summers as long as given adequate water.
Flowers: spaethe - purple with vertical light green stripes. Blooms from May to June
They are followed by red berries.
Hardy zones 6a to 9 ( hardiest seed source can survive in zone 5 on a protected site ) requiring moist well drained soil in partial shade. It begins growth early in the spring making it prone to late spring frosts if they occur, it is good to have an extra blanket on hand. Very easy to grow despite its exotic appearance. Unlike some other species; this one is good for wet locations and looks awesome planted in groups of 5 or 6.

* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC



* photos taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.







* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.










* photo taken on annual Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour

* photos taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on May 8 2019 in Gaithersburg, MD

* photo taken on July 21 2019 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

Arisaema saxatile ( White Cobra Lily )
A miniature, clumping Cobra Lily native to Japan and only growing to 16 inches in height.
This plant has 2 leaves each with 3 to 7 narrow lance-shaped to elliptical, taper pointed leaflets, up to 5 x 1 inches in size. The papery foliage is luxuriant mid-green.
Flowers: spaethe - glowing pure white making this plant an excellent choice for brightening up dark areas in the landscape
spadix - long and green
Red berries follow the flowers.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 requiring moist, well drained soils. Can tolerate down to -15 F in winter on a protected site if soil isn't excessively wet.

Arisaema serratum ( Sawtooth Cobra Lily )
A perennial, reaching up to 7 feet in height, that is native to eastern Russia, China, Korea and much of Japan. It looks great mixed with ferns and hostas.
Each plant has 2 large leaves each with 7 to 19 radiating leaflets. The wavy-edged, lance-shaped leaflets are up to 10 ( rarely over 6 ) inches in length. The foliage is bright to mid green.
Flowers: speathe - green with white stripes or purple, to 8 ( rarely over 5 ) inches long and cylindrical with a flaring hood. The spadix is green and short with a tail
Very cold hardy from zones 4 to 9. Grows well in any moist, well drained soil.

'Silver Patterns'
foliage has attractive silver markings in the center.


* photos taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC


* photo taken on annual Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour


Arisaema sikokianum ( Shikoku Cobra Lily )
A spectacular plant, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 2 ( rarely over 2.5 ) feet, that is native to Japan. It is non-clumping in habit.
Typically the plant has 2 leaves, up to 2 feet across, of 2 different heights. The taller one has 5 leaflets and the shorter one has 3 leaflets. The ovate leaflets, up to 14 x 7 inches in size, are dark green.
Flowers: the spaethes, up to 9.5 inches long, have an upright flaring hood ( like a cobra ) with a purple base, white interior and a dark purple exterior. The spadix is white with a rounded top. The flowers appear mid to late spring.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, thriving in the north and also in the hot humid summers of the southeast. Easy to grow on any shaded site with moist, well drained soil. Easily grown from seed, sow them shallowly in November and they should germinate by mid June.

'Variegata'
silvery markings along the leaf midrib

Arisaema speciosum ( Showy Cobra Lily )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 2 ( typically 2 ) feet, that is native to the Himalayas from Nepal to southwest China.
This plant has only one huge tropical looking leaf with 3 broadly-ovate leaflets that are up to 18 x 5 inches in size. The attractive, deep green foliage lasts late into fall.
Flowers: speathe - very dark purple striped white outside; white with purple margins inside. spadix - long tail. Flowering occurs from May to June
Berries are red.
Hardy from zones 7 to 9 and should be protected from late freezes since it starts into growth early in the spring. Requires moist well drained soils.

Arisaema taiwanense ( Taiwanese Cobra Lily )
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to Taiwan.
The leaves are composed of 7 to 15 radiating, long-tipped, obovate leaflets. The attractive, tropical-looking foliage is glossy deep green above, silvery-white beneath.
The flower spathes are deep purple.

Arisaema talense
Also called Arisaema yunnanense. A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 28 inches, that is native to Pine-Oak forests in Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces in China as well as Burma.
The leaves are composed of 3 elliptical leaflets, up to 7.5 x 5 inches.
The foliage is a solid green.

Arisaema thunbergii ( Thunberg Cobra Lily )
A vigorous, clumping perennial, reaching up to 2 feet in height, that is native to South Korea and much of Japan.
The single leaf, up to 16 inches wide, is composed of 11 to 21 lance-shaped leaflets, up to 11 x 3 inches in size. The attractive foliage is bright green with a bold silvery-white midrib.
The flowers are purple spathes, up to 8 inches in length, that appear mid to late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 9. Easily grown and offsets abundantly.

subsp urashima ( Urashima Cobra Lily )
Lower in height ( 20 inches ) but still vigorous, and is native to eastern Japan.
Hardier north to zone 5

* photos taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC









* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.





* photos taken on May 7 2014 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

Arisaema tortuosum ( Tortuous Cobra Lily )
A truly spectacular perennial plant, reaching a maximum size of 9 x 3 feet but typically under 6 feet. This giant relative of Jack in the Pulpit is native from the Himalayas to western China. It looks great mixed with Hostas and Ferns
Each plant has 2 large tropical looking leaves each with 5 to 17 green, lance-shaped leaflets to 12 x 3 inches.
Flowers: spaethe - light green ( rarely purple ) with the hood being green outside and white inside.
spadix - purple tail that projects high above the foliage
Berries are attractive and bright scarlet red.
Hardy from zones 5 to 9 ( 4 possible on sheltered sites ) requiring moist, well drained soils.

Arisaema tosaensis
A perennial, that is native to southern Japan.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Arisaema triphyllum ( Jack in the Pulpit )
An interesting woodland, clumping perennial native to eastern North America ( from eastern North Dakota and southeastern Manitoba to Kenora, Ontario to Thunder Bay, Ontario to Batchewana, Ontario to Haileybury, Ontario to Gaspe to Nova Scotia; south to eastern Texas to south Florida ); that is tropical in appearance and reaches up to 4 feet in height. In the Windsor/Essex County, Ontario region; it was common throughout the region as well as the Ohio shore during the 1800s. The plant has 2 leaves each having 3 green, ovate leaflets up to 12 inches long.
Flowers: spaethe - reddish purple or green with hood often folded down. Spadix - green or purple. The flowers are followed by orange-red berries late summer into fall.
Very easy to grow eventually forming a colony from underground offsets and seed. Hardy from zones 2 to 8 on moist, fertile, well drained soils.



* photo taken on May 6 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on April 16 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on May 3 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 27 2012 in Ellicott City, MD
* photos taken on June 18 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on May 6 2015 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on July 16 2016 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken on May 3 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 23 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 22 2021 in Bayfield, ON

* photo taken on July 9 2022 in Bayfield, ON

'Atrorubens'
Flower spaethe attractive and looking like a cobra; deep red-purple in color vertically striped white. The foliage is sometimes reddish purple above and grayish-green beneath.

'Black Jack;
Foliage is intensely blackish-purple.

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

'Green Giant'
Huge to 5 feet in height with green spaethe with an upright hood. Otherwise similar to species.

* photo taken on May 18 2013 in Columbia, MD

'Macrophyllum'
Huge leaves to 14 x 34 inches with deep purple leaf veins and leafstalk that eventually fade to green. The leaflets can be up to 16 x 10 inches in size.

* photos taken on May 20 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 26 2021 in Columbia, MD

'Starburst'
Very vigorous and fast multiplying. Foliage has silvery-white veins.

subsp. 'stewartsonii'
northern form with spaeth that is blackish inside.

'Variegata?
Yellow splashed foliage.

* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA

Arisaema utile
A perennial reaching a maximum height of 20 inches, that is native to moist woodlands from Kashmir as well as Punjab in India to Yunnan in China and northern Burma. It is closely related to Arisaema griffithii.
Each plant has 1 leaf, composed of 3 leaflets, up to 6 x 4.5 inches in size.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Arisaema wardii
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 10 inches, that is native to Quinghai, Shanxi, Tibet and western Yunnan provinces in China.
The leaves are composed of 3 to 6 leaflets, up to 4.5 x 1.3 inches.

Arisaema wilsonii
Hardy north to zone 6. The tropical looking leaves have 3 huge corrugated leaflets up to 24 inches in length.

Arisaema yamatense ( Mountain Cobra Lily )
A perennial, reaching up to 3.5 feet in height, that is native to mountain forests in central Japan. It is rare in the wild.
The leaves are composed of 9 to 17 ( average is 11 ) elliptical leaflets up to 12 x 3 inches in size. There are usually 2 leaves per plant. The foliage is bright blue-green with some silver mottling.
The pale green flower spathes, up to 11 inches long, appear during late spring.
Hardy zones 5 to 9.

Arisaema yunnanensis
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 2 feet, that is native to western China, Burma and Thailand.
The leaves are composed of 3 or sometimes 5 leaflets, up to 6 inches in length.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

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* photos taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA