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A tuberous aroid that I bought as Spathantheum orbignyanum when I saw it at Cotswold Garden Flowers. It turns out to be a little known member of the group from
Bolivia, from 1000m to 3000m altitude. Hopefully it will be hardy enough to survive in the greenhouse, and get large enough to flower in time.
Remarkable flowers. I didn't detect any significant scent, but I didn't try too hard. (Thanks to David Scherberich for pointing out that this is a Gorgonidium, probably G.intermedium). Spathantheum orbignyanum has pinnatisect leaves and I am happy that this is a Gorgonidium however my other stock of Gorgonidium intermedium did not survive for long in the greenhouse while this has been remarkably tough. Plants of the World online says: "The native range of this species is Peru. It is a tuberous geophyte and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome." Adventurous Plants say: "Gorgonidium intermedium is an attractive plant, closely related to Spathantheum and Taccarum. Growing from a large tuber, a 12-18 inch petiole supports a greenish spathe enclosing a bright red spadix. After flowering, a large and attractive leaf is produced. Tolerant of cool growing conditions, and so ideally suited for cultivation in the UK, this makes an excellent pot or garden plant. After entering dormancy in the Autumn, store the tubers frost free. Numerous offsets are produced annually." |
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