Arisaema concinnum

The Arisaema concinnum, known as the cobra plant, is a cousin of the arums. It is an original bulbous plant, very resistant to cold, with exceptional flowering.

The Arisaema concinnum belongs to the Araceae family. It is native to the Himalayas. The cobra plant rises up to 80 cm (32in) above the ground and develops early in the season. The unique floral stem emerges early in June, producing a flower head made up of a central spadix of tiny fleshy flowers, surrounded by a funnel-shaped spathe of dark purple colour striped with light green, whose exterior is lined with a similar colour, but paler. This floral stem is later surrounded by a single leaf with a tropical appearance, like a Chinese umbrella, formed by leaflets arranged in a 360° (680°F) wheel, bright green with a lighter middle zone. The flower does not emerge on the same petiole as the leaf. The flowers are dioecious, they are either male or female, but only one sex is found per plant. This species produces red seeds at the end of the season.

The flower head resembling the head of a cobra gave this arisaema its English name of Cobra lily. During the summer, they become dormant as an elongated cylindrical tuber.

Arisaema concinnum is an intriguing plant that can be grown in cool and well-drained soil, preferably in light and humid undergrowth or at the edge of undergrowth where it can get ample sunlight without scorching. It can be cultivated to make beautiful, unique and eye-catching potted plants. It goes well with other plants like ferns, epimediums, Begonia grandis, rhododendrons, azaleas, and oriental lilies.

In Latin, concinnum means "pleasing". All parts of this plant are toxic.