Arisaema, also called cobra lily, or cobra plant is a carnivorous plant species. The largest concentration of species is in Japan and China, with other species belonging to other parts of southern Asia and central and eastern Africa, eastern North America, and Mexico. Asiatic species are often called cobra lilies, while western counterparts are commonly called jack-in-the-pulpit; both names refer to the unique appearance of the flower, which comprises an erect central spadix emanating from a spathe.
The name “cobra lily” arises from the tubular leaves resemblance to a cobra, complete with a forked leaf – ranging from purplish-green to yellow – that resemble a serpent’s tongue or fangs.
Here are top facts about Cobra Lily
- Cobra lily can change sex. When young and small, they are male; but they can become either female or hermaphroditic as they age, and then, if need be, turn back again. Apparently, they can change sex many times in their life. Lucky, or unlucky?
- The flower is commonly called by this name because of its corkscrew-like appearance. It has long stalks, and if you look closely, you will see a long narrow stem developing on top of the flower.
- Their looks are as unusual as their sex lives. Arisaema has mid-green, strongly veined leaves that can be in umbrella-like or solitary whorls with many leaflets; the leaf stalk is sometimes spotted or mottled. They’re worth developing for those leaves alone, which add unique shapes to dark areas, but the natural attraction is the spathes, the sheath-like growths that include the spadices, or spiky flower clusters.
- Cobra Lilies may be produced from seed sown on damp peat in light or more easily from plantlet divisions and runners. A number of cobra lilies are dauntless outdoors, given they are planted deep enough (somewhere between 8cm and 12cm) and mulched with leaf mold in autumn for extra security. They can be grown equally well in pots, again, as long as they don’t die over winter and are fed regularly, being selfish things.
- The cobra lily cannot survive the severe weather conditions. It does not do well in high acidic soil. If you are considering bringing a plant into your home, then be sure to ask a professional for advice. They will be able to tell you how much, if any, care you will need to give the lily. In addition, you should keep in mind that this plant proliferates and mayflower and head only a few days after planting
- Most species emerge in spring, and die again over winter, and are seen in humid woodlands. They like shades in moisture-retentive but very free-draining soil, not too dry in summer and not too wet in winter.
