Arisaema 2011

[fredg]

A couple more now flowering for me.

1. Arisaema flavum, these are doing really well for me, very easy
2. Arisaema flavum
3. Arisaema flavum
4. Arisaema candidissimum, my second season with this, now 4 tubers 
5. Arisaema candidissimum

[Maggi Young]

Arisaema flavum 1 looks like an outraged Ostrich! Wonderful!

[jshields]

It does indeed!  Marvelous!

[ArnoldT]

Is it my imagination or is the tip of the spathe very long.

[DavMac]

Fred,
Do you know what the origin of your Arisaema candidissimum was? To my eye, it looks like it might actually be a hybrid of Arisaema candidissimum with either Arisaema fargesii or Arisaema lichiangense. Both these species are in the same section as Arisaema candidissimum. It might also be a variety of Arisaema lichiangense if the names of some of the photos online are to be believed.

Whether it is a hybrid or not, it is still a beautiful flower.

David McConachie

[fredg]

David,

Unfortunately I don't have the origin of my A. candidissimum recorded.
I did think the tip of the spathe was long but most photos of the plant are face on which doesn't help.
How strong is the scent supposed to be?
I can detect a violet scent but MrsG can't smell anything at all (probably due to living with me for many many years)

[Pascal B]

I don't think the long spathe tip is that unusual and could very well fall within the variation of this species. Our ideas of candidissimum are largely based on the early Forrest clones but the recent new imports show it is more variable. The great pictures of Oron from this species in the wild in another thread show this variation very well and the first picture of candidissimum he shows also has a long spathe tip: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=pnrs0fg2gt2bgijbmdlv36fsu0&topic=5673.0

Hybrids between candidissimum and lichiangense generally retain the purple base of the spathe tube which I don't see in this flower. Hybrids between candidissimum and franchetianum/fargesii are generally darker colored and not only have a long spathe tip but the spathe blade in general is much bigger. All hybrids I know of within this section show hybrid vigour, tubers can reach 10 cm+ across within 4 years.

[Hoy]

Arisaema flavum 1 looks like an outraged Ostrich! Wonderful!

How do you know? When did you see one?

[Hoy]

My Arisaemas are very late this year.
Till now only a few have shown themselves.
Here's is one of them emerging now (unnamed):

[Pascal B]

Arisaema sazensoo

[Maggi Young]

Arisaema flavum 1 looks like an outraged Ostrich! Wonderful!

How do you know? When did you see one?

In the wild, not for many years.... but they are farmed about five miles from here!

[PeterT]

Arisaema flavum 1 looks like an outraged Ostrich! Wonderful!

How do you know? When did you see one?

In the wild, not for many years.... but they are farmed about five miles from here!

Touche Maggie 

[Lesley Cox]

The pink which may be a hybrid is very beautiful, such pretty colouring.

[fredg]

I don't think the long spathe tip is that unusual and could very well fall within the variation of this species.

Apparently it's ok by the RHS too 

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=164

[Pascal B]

2 examples of candidissimum variants, a great species to photograph with light coming from the back. Third is an example of the candidissimum x lichiangense hybrid, this cross usually produces somewhat "in-between-but-not-very-attractive flowers"  like this one. Question remains if these 2 names should be kept separate or merged under the same species.....