Amorphophallus napalensis - Voodoo Lily

Amorphophallus napalensis, is a curious plant that grows wild in the clear understorey of the mountains in Northeast India. This relative of arums has a very large tuber, blooms in spring, then develops a single large serrated leaf before going dormant in autumn. The mature plant produces an unusual inflorescence, close to the ground, shaped like a long pale yellow cream cone on the inside and greener on the outside, surrounding a spadix that is brown-pink at the base but yellow cream in the upper half. Like most Amorphophallus species, this flowering emits a rather unpleasant odour. In theory, hardy down to -8°C, this species is easier to grow in a large pot that is kept dry in winter, as its roots do not tolerate wet soil during that time of year.

Amorphophallus napalensis, known as the Voodoo lily by English speakers, belongs to the large family of Araceae and is endemic to the region of the Eastern Himalayas in India, where it can be found at high altitudes, especially in Sikkim and Assam, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and northwest Myanmar. These regions have a tropical climate with two distinct seasons. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a large tuberous root.

The life cycle of Amorphophallus napalensis is quite short, from the moment the leaf emerges from the ground in May-June to when the plant goes dormant at the end of summer or early autumn. This Amorphophallus can reach a height of about 1m (3ft). In spring, a green stalk mottled with white emerges from the ground, which will bear the single leaf. It grows rapidly and at its tip, the leaf blade unfolds like a parasol, divided multiple times into oval-shaped, shiny, lobed leaflets with visible veins. Flowering occurs on plants several years old, emerging above the ground, at the base of the plant, in April-May, before the foliage. The inflorescence is a spathe, resembling a large arum cone, with a central column called a spadix. The spathe measures 50cm (20in) in height. This inflorescence will be pollinated by flies attracted to its scent, which disappears once pollination occurs. The fruiting is a tight cluster of rounded fruits that range from yellow to light red.

The cultivation of Amorphophallus napalensis is mainly done in a very large pot, although this species can be grown in the ground in mild regions if the root is protected from rain in winter. Burying the pot in the garden during the growing season allows it to be sheltered in winter. It is an original and lush plant of clear understories, which will also be a choice subject for a greenhouse or conservatory for plant enthusiasts. It can be paired with ferns, Fatsias, or non-spreading Fargesia bamboos, for example.