Amorphophallus is a genus of tuberous plants in the Araceae family. They are grown by devoted collectors for the beauty of their single compound pinnate leaves, which give them a palm like look, very exotic. A few are brave enough to confess they find the bad smelling flower one of Nature's wonders.
Amorphophallus konjac (syn. Amorphophallus rivieri) is a widespread species from the eastern Himalayas to China and the Philippines. The first 2 photos were taken by Angelo Porcelli of plants that used to be known by the name Amorphophallus rivieri var. konjac. It is known by common names of Snake's tongue or snake palm. This variety is grown for food. The third photo was contributed by the UC Botanical Garden.
Amorphophallus muelleri is a species native to W. Thailand, India (Andaman Islands), and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Timor, Sulawesi). The photo below from Monica Swartz shows one of the seedlings she is growing from BX 198. She especially loves the pink edge on the leaf. All the subsequent leaves have had the pink edge as well.
Amorphophallus richardsiae is a species native to southern Africa. This specimen was collected in Zambia. Photo by Rogan Roth
Amorphophallus titanum has the largest unbranched inflorescence of all plants. The species is endemic to the island of Sumatra. It grows entirely in tropical climates. Mature plants transition between forming a flower, then dormancy, then forming a leaf, with each period lasting about six months apart. The flowers are said to have an unpleasant smell, although some plants don't seem to smell at all. Once extremely rare, botanical gardens around the world now have cultivated enough stock to sell young plants to the public. The photo below is taken by Nhu Nguyen at the UC Botanical Garden.
