Arisaema omeiense

I have for some years regarded this as the same species as A. auriculatum, whilst managing to ignore several major and obvious differences that were staring me in the face!

A. omeiense is considerably dwarfer than A. auriculatum, it has white tubers with very noticeable stolons and the tubers are much smaller; indeed 1cm across and 2.5g in weight is huge for this plant.

Other differences include the fact that the foliage is less divided, the leaflets are broader and the side lobes of the spathe are much larger and more elongated. The colouring of the spathe is reddish brown and it is more spotted with a longer, more tapering spadix. It is one of those cases whereby the differences are very obvious, but only once you have seen them!

This is a superb little dwarf species. These are small but clearly flowering sized tubers. I say 'clearly' as many are already budded and as this one starts growth early you may want to order them as quickly as possible. Growth in a pot of well-drained, leafy soil under cool glass may be best, they grow early and can be nipped by frost outside.