Amorphophallus konjac

Quick Characteristics:

Amorphophallus konjac K.Koch (syn. Amorphophallus rivieri var. konjac (K.Koch) Engl.) is native to forest margins and open thickets in China. It has been introduced into other Asian countries and the Philippines. It is known by common names of Snake's tongue, Voodoo Lily, Devil's Tongue, or snake palm. The round, flattened corms can reach up to 11" in diameter and will spread through offsets. When the corms mature, each produces a flower before the leaves emerge. The aroid-type infloresence has a maroon to purple-brown vase-like spathe with a purple spadix on top of a speckled petiole. The flowers smell like rotten flesh, attracting pollinators. Later a single, highly divided leaf with a pale pink petiole (leaf stem) mottled with olive green to brown splotches 4-5' tall is produced resembling a small palm. It is also grown for food made from the corm made into a white or black cake or a kind of noodle. The first 2 photos were taken by Angelo Porcelli. The next two were taken by Nicholas Plummer. The last photo was contributed by the UC Botanical Garden.