Description
This is a very striking plant with bold, almost black, shining spadices and spathes which are produced almost at ground level before the characteristic, very wavy-edged, leaves appear in late summer.
The sterile flowers in this species are in whorls. This is a new stock raised from material first found in Syria, near Qal’at Najm in 1991 in an area now presumed flooded by the Tishrin Dam.
Despite its geographical origins this seems happy outside in sunny, well-drained soils, in the UK at least though for safety and for good seed-set, we grow this in an alpine house. Provide a well-drained, loamy soil or compost with good drainage and full light. Good feeding will help build large tubers.
You may also see this species with the alternative (and incorrect) spelling of zelebourii and Schott’s original spelling zeleborii which appears to have been corrected by Peter Boyce in his excellent monograph.
