Japanese Cobra Lily Arisaema ringens
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Japanese Cobra Lily:
Previously known as:
- A. praecox
- A. sieboldii
- Phonetic Spelling
- air-uh-SEE-muh RIN-jens
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Cobra lily is an herbaceous perennial that grows from a corm. It is native to Asia and a member of the arum family (Araceae), not a true lily. The species epithet is Latin for “gaping” and refers to the opening of the spathe.
Cobra lily grows in partial shade and prefers moist, loamy or humus-rich soils. Tubers should be planted about 4 inches deep. Plant out full-sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter.
The species is dioecious (flowers are unisexual; only one sex is to be found on any one plant), but depending on the age and condition of the plant, can also change sex from year to year. Some plants are even monoecious (male and female flowers on the same spike). Both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. The flowers are pollinated by flies.
The cobra lily is a good choice for an Asian garden or woodland garden. For a native plant or pollinator garden, the native green dragon (Arisaema dracontium) or Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is a better choice. Use this plant as a ground cover or accent in the border.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- 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'
- 'Black Mamba'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Mamba'
Purple stem and dark purple and white striped spathe.
- 'Black Mamba'
- 'Black Mamba'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
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
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- 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.
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-
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 trifoliolate.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Dull
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Irritation and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat if the plant is eaten raw. Handling the fruit pulp or leaf sap may cause mild dermatitis.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- calcium oxalate
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
