Typhonium
Common Name(s):
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Typhonium is a genus of over 70 deciduous, perennial, flowering bulb species in the arum family (Araceae) and is native to Mongolia, tropical Asia, and north east Australia. These relatively small plants can be found growing in woodland areas. The genus is clump-forming and tuberous with triangular, glossy, lobed, mid- to dark green leaves. The flower is composed of a spathe surrounding a spadix that grows directly from the tuber.
These plants do best in a well-drained, moist soil that is rich in humus with a neutral to slightly acidic PH and located in a sheltered, partially shaded, site. The plant does not do well in the cold and, if grown outdoors, should be protected with a thick, dry mulch. The best alternative would be to grow the plant in a container and overwinter indoors. If growing in a pot, plant tubers 6 inches deep in late winter, under glass, in loam-based compost in bright filtered or indirect light. Water moderately but keep dry in winter.
These plants can be slow growing with some species taking up to 5 years to mature.
Additional Typhonium images at Juniper Level Botanical Gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Typhonium blumei
Dark red flowers, dwarf plant. - Typhonium trilobatum
Larger, 18 to 24 inch, species.
- Typhonium blumei
- Typhonium blumei, Typhonium trilobatum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Typhonium blumei
Dark red flowers, dwarf plant. - Typhonium trilobatum
Larger, 18 to 24 inch, species.
- Typhonium blumei
- Typhonium blumei, Typhonium trilobatum
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Typhonium
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mongolia south to Myanmar, west to India, northeast Australia
- Distribution:
- Brazil, Cuba, Madagascar, and western Australia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are long, pointed, pungent, velvety, maroon spathes in summer. Some feel that the flower's fragrance is foul.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are triangular, glossy, lobed, mid- to dark green.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
