Arisaema

( ar - riss - SEEM - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This plant is commonly called Jack-In-The-Pulpit and Cobra Lily, and needs partial to full shade and regular waterings during growth and bloom periods. These relatives of Calla are interesting-looking, somewhat odd. Flowers are very small, crowded onto a fleshy spike with a bract 'hood'. In late spring, each tuber sends up two to three leaves and flowers appear in spring or early summer. Orange to red berries replace flowers after they expire. These are woodland plants and die back to the ground in winter. These interesting flowers are pollinated by flies.

Arisaema Species and Varietals

The genus Arisaema is a member of the plant family Araceae and includes The best growing zones for Arisaema vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Arisaema candidissimum (Chinese Cobra Lily, Chinese Jack-In-The-Pulpit)
This species grows from corm and lives most of the year underground, until spring or summer when it produces an inflorescence and foliage. Spathe is whitish, with stripes that are green on the outside and pink on the inside. The specific epithet 'candidissimum' means shining white, referring to the flower color.

Arisaema consanguineum (Himalayan Cobra Lily)
This species is native to the Himalayas and Indochina, and forms and underground tuber from which a single deciduous leaf with many radial leaflets emerges. Flower is deep maroon with green and white stripes. Once the flower fades, a cluster of bright red berries appears in fall. Great in woodland gardens; underground tuber may need some winter protection.

Arisaema dracontium (Dragon-Root, Green Dragon)
This species is native to North America from Quebec down through Minnesota to Florida and Texas. These plants are found growing in damp, woody areas in their native range. This plant grows from corm, and produces one leaf with between 7 and 13 leaflets and a green spathe around a tapering, long, thin spadix.

Arisaema erubescens
Endemic to Nepal, this flower forms an underground tuber. Spathe is normally green, but can also be deep red with white or green stripes. 

Arisaema fimbriatum
This species is native to Thailand, Malaysia, and Pulau Lankawi. Spathe is commonly whitish green with maroon to red striping, and spadix is long, dangling, and tassle-like.

Arisaema flavum
Native to north-east Africa and southern Asia, this species grows from tuber and forms a stout spathe that is yellow in color. The throat is dark purple on the interior. Flowers bloom June through July, and this species is consumed as a famine food in southern Ethiopia.

Arisaema heterophyllum (Dancing Crane Cobra Lily)
​This species forms a rhizome and is native to east Asia. Spathe is green, and fruits are cylindrical and yellow to red, containing one seed each. It grows naturally in riparian, shrubland, inland wetland and grassland habitats in its native range. Leaves seem to form a ring around the flower spike, creating a visually impressive look.

Arisaema jacquemontii
Discovered by French botanist Victor Jacquemont, this species is native to forested slopes in Afghanistan, East Asia, and the Himalayas. Flowers bloom June through July.

Arisaema propinquum (Wallach's Cobra Lily)
This unique species has a gorgeous spathe that looks very much like a cobra's head with interesting patterning. It naturally grows in the Himalayan Mountains, and reaches about a foot tall. Leaf stalk and stem are often spotted with brown or purple, and this species flowers in May through June.

Arisaema quinatum (Southern Jack-In-The-Pulpit, Southern Jack, Preacher John)
Growing from corm, this species is native to eastern North America. It was first described in 1818 by English botanist Thomas Nuttall. It is considered an uncommon or rare species due to habitat loss.

Arisaema ringens (Japanese Cobra Lily)
This species is native to Japan, Taiwan, China, and the Ryukyu Islands and is best in zones 1-7, 9, and 16-22. They grow from a tuber root and reach about 18 inches tall when flowering. These flowers enjoy moist, humus-rich soil.

Arisaema sikokianum
These plants grow best in zones 3-6 and 14-17. Native to Japan, this species can reach 20 inches tall, with a 4-12 inch stalk bearing a 6-inch hooded spathe. Bract is smoky purple-brown on the outside and yellowish-white inside, expanded at the tip. ​This woodland plant loves growing underneath trees in forested areas.

Arisaema speciosum
This Himalayan native grows best in zones 4-6 and 14-17. One single leaf grows up to 2 feet with a stalk marbled in dark purple. Spathe bract is dark purple outside, white within. 

Arisaema thunbergii (Asian Jack-in-the-Pulpit)
​This species is native to Japan and has dark maroon flowers with white throats. Take care when handling or growing this plant in the garden, as all plant parts contain calcium oxalate.

​Arisaema tortuosum (Whipcord Lily)
This species grows best in zones 4-6 and 14-17 and is native to the Himalayas. This plant reaches 4-6 feet tall and leaves have many narrow leaflets. Spathe is green or purple.

Arisaema yamatense (Yamatense Cobra Lily)
This Japanese native Jack-in-the-Pulpit produces flowers surrounded by a bright green to white-green spathe.

Caring for arisaema

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Arisaema 
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: 
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 167 - 168, Arisaema
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