Description
Arisaema tortuosum, the whipcord cobra lily, occurs across a vast area of Asia and consequently exhibits wide regional variation. This form used to be its own species — A. helleborifolium — but has now been swallowed alive into A. tortuosum where it is not recognized. Our plants are definitely different than the normal species so we retain the variety name. Variety helleborifolium is like the species but markedly taller and more cold tolerant. It also has spectacularly mottled stems. Arisaema are known as cobra lilies or jack-in-the-pulpits. There are only two North American species but many in Asia. They grow in moist, shaded, forested habitats and are great for adding cool foliage and floral intrigue in the shade or woodland garden where they can rise up and through other shade plants. In colder climates they can be grown in pots and protected in winter. Keep just above freezing. In pots, plant in a moist but free-draining mix of coarse bark and pumice or perlite. Pull back on watering when dormant.
