Plant DetailShow Menu

Arisaema ringens is often confused with:
Arisaema triphyllum Flower - May 10 - Wake Co., NC
Native alternative(s) for Arisaema ringens:
Arisaema triphyllum Flower - May 10 - Wake Co., NC
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Amorphophallus kiusianus Amorphophallus kiusianus
Colocasia esculenta Colocasia esculenta
Symplocarpus foetidus Symplocarpus foetidus
Arisaema ringens has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage

Cobra Lily Arisaema ringens

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Cobra Lily:

Previously known as:

  • A. praecox
  • A. sieboldii
  • non L. Arum ringens
Phonetic Spelling
air-uh-SEE-muh RIN-jens
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Cobra Lily is a perennial plant with a tuberous root that is native to Asia and looks tropical. Genus name Arisaema actually is composed of two Greek words aris (referring to the spathe) and aima (referring to some of the species that have red on their leaves).

The species is dioecious meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant. Therefore, both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. They are sometimes monoecious and can also change sex from year to year. The plant is pollinated by flies. Tubers should be planted about 10cm deep. Only plant out full-sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter. 

More information on Arisaema.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Part Sun-Part Shade Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Black Mamba'
    Purple stem and dark purple and white striped spathe.
'Black Mamba'
Tags:
#poisonous#spadix#wet soils tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Black Mamba'
    Purple stem and dark purple and white striped spathe.
'Black Mamba'
Tags:
#poisonous#spadix#wet soils tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Arisaema
    Species:
    ringens
    Family:
    Araceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China, Korea, Japan
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    The plant is pollinated by flies.
    Play Value:
    Shade
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    heavy shade, wet soil
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Description:
    This plant has a spathe that is striped in green and purple in contrast to the spadix/spike which has hues of yellow and white.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Sheath
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaflets are about 7 inches long, and the leaves are trifoliate.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Dull
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Children
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    The plant causes an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue if they are eaten.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    calcium oxalate
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Roots