Sauromatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- saw-ROM-a-tum
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This genus consists of about 9 tuberous flowering plants in the arum family (Araceae) that are native to tropical Africa, tropical Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Genus name is from the Greek sauros which means lizard, as in dinosaur.
These are generally easy plants to grow that prefer partial shade in average well-drained soils. The flower stem grows directly from the bulb and consists of a spathe surrounding an inner spadix. The preferred pollinators are flies so the flower heats up in order to emit a fetid odor to attract them. Flowers last from a few hours to 1 day. After flowering a single large deeply lobed leaf will appear providing continued interest.
Some are hardy to zone 6 but others need overwintered indoors. They can easily be grown in a container. The bulb will produce an offshoot that can be removed if desired. Removing offshoots will help the bulb to grow to flowering size which can take 1 or more years.
The most popular one to find on the market is S. venosum or voodoo lily..
Additional Sauromatum images at Juniper Level Botanical Garden
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Bulbs can rot if grown in poorly drained soil
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Sauromatum venosum
Large flower with a spotted spathe and llarge leaf on a spotted stem
- Sauromatum venosum
- Sauromatum venosum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Sauromatum venosum
Large flower with a spotted spathe and llarge leaf on a spotted stem
- Sauromatum venosum
- Sauromatum venosum
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sauromatum
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia, Africa, India
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract flies for pollination
- Edibility:
- Some have edible tubers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Aggregate
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- If the flower is pollinated an aggregate fruit will develop.
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Description:
- Flowers consist of a spathe surrounding an inner spadix. They vary in color, can be variegate and range from small to large in size.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The single large deeply lobed leaf appears after the flower dies. Varies in size and shape.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are smooth green and may be spotted with purple
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
