Dragon Lily Dracunculus vulgaris
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Arum dracunculus.
- Phonetic Spelling
- drak-UN-koo-lus vul-GAIR-iss
- Description
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Dragon arum is an tuberous, herbaceous perennial native to the rocky hills and slopes of the Mediterranean in the Araceae (arum) family. It is found in Greece, Crete, the Aegean Islands and Turkey. The genus name means small dragon referring to the shape of the leaves resembling dragon feet. The species name means common.
The large lobed leaves occur in clusters on a purple pseudostem and can be up to 12 inches long. In late spring to early summer, a large flower called a spadix appears. The spathe is up to 20 inches tall and 8 inches wide and surrounds a central spike called a spadix. The spadix consists of small flowers with male flowers on top and female flowers below. This can be as tall or taller than the spathe.
The foul smell of the flower attracts flies and beetles for pollination. Once inside the spadix, it is difficult for the insects to fly off until pollination is complete in a day or so. Then the flower begins to wither. Berries are then formed that mature to red-orange and attract birds.
Dragon arum prefers full sun to partial shade in fertile moist loam. It is drought-tolerant and deer resistant. It spreads by seeding and bulb off-sets that can be divided. Use this plant as an accent or specimen but be aware of the foul odor from the flower and plant away from windows, doors or seating areas.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dracunculus
- Species:
- vulgaris
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Greece, Crete and the Aegean Islands and Turkey
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds will eat the berries. Flies and beetles are attracted to the flower
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Pear-shaped berries are initially green and orange-red when ripe
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Maroon tubular spadix flower with unpleasant fragrance. The spathe is up to 20 inches tall and 8 inches wide with wavy margins and surrounds a central spike called a spadix. The spadix consists of small flowers with male flowers on top and female flowers below and can vary in color. This can be as tall or taller than the spathe and 1/2 inch wide. Blooms April to July
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmasect
- Reniform
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The large leaves are fan-shaped and palmately divided with 9-15 finger-like lobes. They grow up to 12 inches long, are dark green and often mottled with white. Leaves appear in clusters of 2-4 on a black to purple-spotted pseudostem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- The pseudostem is pale to light grey green with numerous jagged dark purple to almost black markings
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- English Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
