Arisaema (Arisaema Ringens)

Features and Characteristics

Arisaema ringens, commonly called cobra lily, is a tuberous woodland perennial that is native to Japan. It is closely related to the Jack-in-the-pulpit that is native to eastern North America (Arisaema triphyllum). It typically grows to 12-18″ tall. Each tuber produces a single stalk containing two glossy green trifoliate leaves, with each leaf having three ovate to elliptic leaflets (to 6-8″ long). From the center of the leaf stalks rises a cobra-like flower in spring. Each flower consists of a showy, green and purple striped spathe (to 4-6″ tall) with a hood that covers the inner yellow to white flower spike known as the spadix. Stalks, leaves, flowers and fruits give this plant a tropical aura. Plants go dormant in summer after flowering, except hermaphroditic flowering plants will produce a cluster of red berries in mid to late summer which become visible as the spathe withers. Roots contain calcium oxalate (same chemical as in Diffenbachia or dumb cane) and are poisonous.

Genus name comes from Greek words aris meaning “arum” and aima meaning “red”, in reference to the red-blotched leaves found on some species.

Specific epithet means gaping as having an open mouth.