Pinellia tripartita - Green Dragon

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zones 5-9, 1-1.5' x .5-1', part sun to part shade to full shade, unique green bloom (a hood and spadix arrangement) in summer leading to an interesting seed head, likes moist, well-drained, fertile woodland soils, but it has tolerance to drought in its shadiest spots for sure. 

Common names: Green Dragon, Voodoo Lily (Amorphophallus konjac is also known by this name, but is not this plant!)

Family: Araceae

Origin/Distribution: eastern China, Japan, Korean peninsula

Habitat: forest, forest edges, cultivated fields, roadsides

More: The whole plant is very charismatic. The seed heads are decorative and the tri-lobed leaves are a fresh green. It is related to Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Will self sow and spread by seeding and offsets. Good woodland ground cover candidate. I wonder if this would make a good house plant. It would go winter dormant, and likes a humid environment, but I imagine it would be pretty easy going. I am also going to try it as a cut flower and seed head. I will keep you posted.

Source Van Berkum

Image credits: illustration from Wikimedia Commons