Types of Voodoo Lily
The aroid, or Araceae, family includes three plants known as "voodoo lily." So named for their flowers, which are unusual in color, shape and fragrance, these plants are quite dramatic. The blooms comprise a finger-like spadix with a cloak-like spathe and range in color from cream to blackened red-purple. DormantvVoodoo lilies should be overwintered indoors in cold winter regions.
Dranunculus
The Dranunculus genus includes three species of herbaceous plants native to the area around the Mediterranean Basin. Planted as tuber roots, in the warmth of spring or summer these plants grow upright flowers that smell of rotten flesh. They are grown in outdoor landscapes in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 9. Dracunculus vulgaris, sometimes called dragon arum, has a large maroon-purple flower that truly stinks.
- The aroid, or Araceae, family includes three plants known as "voodoo lily."
- The blooms comprise a finger-like spadix with a cloak-like spathe and range in color from cream to blackened red-purple.
Sauromatum
The Sauromatum genus has two species of plants called voodoo lily that are native to tropical Asia and Africa. These plants send up their arum flowers before the leaves emerge later in summer. The smelly flowers are spotted and purplish-red in color. They can be grown in landscapes outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 and warmer. Sauromatum venosum is also called monarch-of-the-east.
Amorphophallus
Native to the warm woodlands of tropical Asia and Africa is a large plant genus called Amorphophallus. Sometimes called voodoo lily, but also devil's tongue or snake palm, there are nearly 100 different species. They have large, ornate leaves and large flowers, much larger than the two types already mentioned. The flowers range from 12 to 60 inches in height and produce choking scents of rotting meat. Three species of note for garden enthusiasts are Amorphophallus konjac, Amorphophallus titanum and Amorphophallus paeoniifolium. They are grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 10 and warmer.
- The Sauromatum genus has two species of plants called voodoo lily that are native to tropical Asia and Africa.
- The flowers range from 12 to 60 inches in height and produce choking scents of rotting meat.
Problems With Voodoo Lilies
Voodoo lilies are part of several genera, including -- but not limited to -- Amorphophallus, Dracunculus, Sauromatum, Typhonium and Arum. The voodoo lily produces a scent that has often been described as being similar to rotting flesh. It does this using thermogenics, meaning the flower actually heats up to emit the scent. The reason this particular odor is produced is because of the types of insects it needs to pollinate the flowers. Occasionally, in USDA zones 8 or 9, you might be able to protect the tuber so it is not damaged by the winter cold. In colder areas, you can dig up the tubers in fall and replant them the next spring, or plant them in containers and then bring the containers inside for winter.
Related Articles
References
- Univ. of California Extension: Dranunculus vulgaris: A Voodoo Lily for Your Garden
- Plant Delights Nursery: Bizarre Plants Only a Mother Could Love
- "A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants"; edited by Christopher Brickell and H. Marc Cathey; 2004
- NBC News: Voodoo Lily Blooms — And the Stench Is Unreal
- Aroids; Deni Brown
- William’s Web: Voodoo Lily, Snake Lily, Devil’s Tongue
- University of Georgia: Some Lilies Like It Hot
- Augsburg College: Amorphophallus Konjac
- Pacific Bulb Society: Amorphophallus
Resources
Writer Bio
Jacob J. Wright became a full-time writer in 2008, with articles appearing on various websites. He has worked professionally at gardens in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Wright holds a graduate diploma in environmental horticulture from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Science in public horticulture from the University of Delaware.
