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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:
  • Typhonium blumei
    Dark red flowers, dwarf plant.
  • Typhonium trilobatum
    Larger, 18 to 24 inch, species.
Typhonium blumei, Typhonium trilobatum
Tags:
#deciduous#perennial bulbs#tuberous#spadix#spathe#container plant#flowering bulb#poisonous if ingested
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Typhonium blumei
    Dark red flowers, dwarf plant.
  • Typhonium trilobatum
    Larger, 18 to 24 inch, species.
Typhonium blumei, Typhonium trilobatum
Tags:
#deciduous#perennial bulbs#tuberous#spadix#spathe#container plant#flowering bulb#poisonous if ingested
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    All parts of some species are poisonous if ingested. Contact may irritate skin, cause intestinal distress, or an allergic reaction.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    calcium oxalate
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves