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Arisaema dracontium

(Green Dragon)

Overview

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Special Concern
Threat status

Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in English:

Dragon Arum, Dragon-Arum, Dragon-Root, Dragonroot, Green Dragon, Green-Dragon, Greendragon

Common Names in French:

Arisème Dragon

Description

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Family Araceae

Herbs, perennial , wetland or terrestrial , occasionally emergent or floating, [often epiphytic or climbing ], usually with milky or watery latex, rarely colored . Rhizomes, corms, or stolons present; rhizomes vertical or horizontal, creeping at or near surface , sometimes branched; corms underground, starchy; stolons at or near surface. Stems absent [sometimes aboveground or aerial ]. Cataphylls usually present. Leaves rarely solitary, alternate or clustered; petiole rarely absent, with sheathing base ; blade simple or compound [occasionally perforate ], elliptic to obovate or spatulate , occasionally sagittate-cordate, larger than 1.5 cm; venation parallel or pinnate- or palmate-netted. Inflorescences spadices, each with 3--900 usually tightly grouped, sessile flowers, subtended by spathe ; spathe rarely absent, persistent (sometimes only proximally) or deciduous, variously colored; spadix cylindric or ovoid , various parts occasionally naked or with sterile flowers. Flowers bisexual or unisexual , staminate and pistillate usually on same plants or functionally on different plants, staminate flowers distal to pistillate when unisexual; perianth absent or present; stamens 2--12, distinct or connate in synandria; ovaryies 1, 1--3(--many) -locular, sessile or embedded in spadix; styles 1; stigmas hemispheric , capitate, or discoid [sometimes strongly lobed ]. Fruits berries , distinct or connate at maturity. Seeds 1--40(--many) per berry.

Genera 105, species more than 3300 (8 genera, 10 species in the flora ; species in 10 additional genera may persist locally within flora area, see talbe 203.1) : nearly worldwide, primarily tropical regions .

Araceae are best characterized by the inflorescence, a fleshy cylindric or ovoid, unbranched spadix subtended or surrounded by a spathe. True spathes are absent in the Nearctic genus Orontium and in the Australian genus Gymnostachys. Other plant families with a compressed spadix-like inflorescence, such as Piperaceae and Cyclanthaceae, either do not have a structure equivalent to a spathe (Piperaceae) or have early-deciduous bracts (Cyclanthaceae) . Plants are usually glabrous , rarely pubescent or spiny (pubescent in Pistia) . Many Araceae exhibit typical monocotyledonous parallel leaf venation, but some genera have net leaf venation more typical of dicotyledons.

Infrafamilial classification of the Araceae is under active study. The only classification of the family to date to utilize modern phylogenetic techniques (S. J. Mayo et al. 1997) recognizes seven subfamilies, of which three are represented in native temperate North American aroid flora: Orontioideae (Orontium, Symplocarpus, Lysichiton) ; Calloideae (Calla) ; and Aroideae (Peltandra, Arisaema, and Pistia) . Acorus, a genus historically included in Araceae, is treated as a separate family in theat flora based on extensive morphologic and chemical evidence that supports its removal from Arales (M. H. Grayum 1987) .

The number of genera of Araceae occurring in temperate North America is low in comparison with other continents, and primitive taxa are disproportionately represented. Orontioideae and Calloideae, which include four of the seven native genera found in the flora area, are the basal clades within Araceae. Plants in these subfamilies possess the primitive states for many characteristics in Araceae and share few derived characteristics with other aroid genera (M. H. Grayum 1990) . The more advanced genera native to the flora area include one genus endemic to eastern North America (Peltandra), a pantropical genus with an uncertain native distribution (Pistia), and a genus clearly Eurasian in origin (Arisaema) .

Araceae contain crystals of calcium oxalate , which are often cited as causing the intense irritation experienced when handling or consuming the raw plant tissue of many genera in the family. This supposition is contradicted by the fact that although irritation generally is not produced by properly cooked plants, the crystals remain after heating. Other compounds must therefore be involved with causing this reaction. Studies of Dieffenbachia demonstrated that a proteolytic enzyme , as well as other compounds, are responsible for the severe irritation caused by this plant and that raphides of calcium oxalate do not play a major role (J. Arditti and E. Rodriguez 1982) . Whether irritation is caused by enzymes or crystals, that aspect of Araceae has resulted in aroid genera being included in many lists of poisonous plants (e.g. , K . F. Lampe and M. A. McCann 1985; G. A. Mulligan and D. B . Munro 1990; K. D. Perkins and W. W. Payne 1978) .

Despite the toxic effects of Araceae, species of several genera are cultivated as food plants, mainly as subsistence crops in tropical areas. The major edible Araceae are Colocasia esculenta and several species of Xanthosoma, grown primarily for their corms and sometimes for their leaves. Most North American species of Araceae were historically used by Native Americans, as both food and medicine (T. Plowman 1969) . The family, is currently more valued for its many ornamental species , and is the most important family in North America for indoor foliage plants (T. B. Croat 1994) . Araceae commonly grown as ornamentals in American homes include species of Aglaonema (Chinese-evergreen), Anthurium, Caladium, Dieffenbachia (dumbcane), Epipremnum (golden pothos), Philodendron, Spathiphyllum, Syngonium, and Zantedeschia (calla-lily) .

Plants of some cultivated species of Araceae escape and may persist or naturalize , especially in warmer climates. One of these species, Colocasia esculenta, is widespread enough to warrant full inclusion in the flora, but other introduced species of Araceae are very local in occurrence. Uncommon species represented by herbarium specimens or literature reports as escaped or persisting from cultivation are listed (table 203.1) with distinguishing characteristics and areas of occurrence.[1]

Genus Arisaema

Herbs, terrestrial or wetland. Corms [rhizomes] nearly globose . Leaves usually appearing with flowers, 1--2(--3), erect ; petiole longer than blade ; blade medium to dark green, sometimes glaucous adaxially, palmately or pedately [radiately] divided , not peltate, leaflet elliptic to broadly ovate or oblanceolate , base rounded to obtuse or attenuate, apex obtuse or acute to acuminate; primary lateral veins of each leaflet pinnate. Inflorescences: peduncle erect, nearly equal to leaves [to very short], apex not swollen; spathe variously colored or striped, distal part open at maturity, exposing tip to 1/2 or more of spadix appendage ; spadix ± cylindric , surmounted by sterile appendage of variable shape . Flowers unisexual , staminate and pistillate on same or different spadix; pistillate flowers congested ; staminate flowers usually scattered , distal to pistillate flowers when both are present; perianth absent. Fruits not embedded in spadix, glossy orange to bright red. Seeds 1--6, mucilage sometimes present (not present in Arisaema triphyllum). x = 13, 14.

Species ca. 170: mostly temperate Asia, also North America, Mexico, and Africa.

The phenomenon of sex changing in Arisaema has been investigated by many authors (e.g. , P. Bierzychudek 1982; K . Clay 1993; E. Kinoshita 1986). Smaller plants produce only staminate flowers, and larger plants produce either staminate and pistillate flowers simultaneously or pistillate flowers only. Changes in gender expression are directly correlated with size and are also influenced by the environment in which the plants are growing. Reversions in phenotypic gender have been experimentally induced by such factors as removing leaf area or changing soil nutrient levels.

Although some species are cultivated as ornamentals , the genus is not of great economic importance.[2]

Physical Description

Species Arisaema dracontium

Plants 1.5--9 dm. Roots radiating from apex of corm; corm to 8 cm diam. Leaves usually solitary; petiole medium green or purple-marked; blade pedately divided , leaflets (5--) 7--13(--21), sessile or petiolulate , elliptic to oblanceolate , to 28 ´ 10 cm, apex acute to acuminate; central leaflet usually shorter than neighboring ones, these leaflets longest, outer progressively smaller. Inflorescences: s Spathe light green, sometimes marked with purple, convolute, 3--6(--12) cm; blade usually scarcely distinguished from tube ;. sSpadix 6--20 cm (or longer ), longer than spathe, apex tapering in long slender appendage to 15 cm. Staminate flowers with 2--4 stamens. Fruits oblong or pear-shaped, 7--13 mm. Seeds 1--2(--6), 3--5 mm diam. 2n = 28, 56. Flowering late winter (southern part of range ) --late spring . [source]

Reports of Arisaema dracontium occurring in New Hampshire and Rhode Island have not been substantiated by specimens. The species has also been reported from Nuevo León and Veracruz, Mexico (E. Matuda 1954) ; more study is needed to determine if these plants are conspecific . Specimens with a wider spathe blade than is typical in A. dracontium have been collected in Florida and Georgia, and these forms may represent intermediates between A. dracontium and the Mexican species A. macrospathum Bentham, which has an expanded spathe blade. D. G. Huttleston (1953) treated A. macrospathum as a subspecies of A. dracontium in his dissertation, but this change in taxonomic status was never formally published. [source]

Habit: Forb/herb

Flowers: Bloom Period: April, May. • Flower Color: near white, pale green, pale yellow, white

Size/Age/Growth

Size: 24-36" tall.

Habitat

Mesic to wet deciduous woods , thickets, and bottoms ; 30--1200 m (Ref. 51932).

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 4,893 meters (0 to 16,053 feet).[3]

Biology

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Reproduction

Duration: Perennial

Growth

Culture: Space 12-15" apart.

Soil: Minimum pH: 5.6 • Maximum pH: 7.5

Sunlight: Sun Exposure: Light Shade.

Temperature: Cold Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. (map)

Taxonomy

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Unambiguous Synonyms

  1. Arisaema boscii Blume
  2. Arisaema plukenetii Blume
  3. Arum dracontium L.
  4. Arum dracontium Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 964. 1753
  5. Arum exsertum Salisb.
  6. Muricauda dracontium (L.) Small
  7. Muricauda dracontium (Linnaeus) Small

Notes

Publishing author : Salisb. Publication : Prod. 260 Publishing author: Blume Publication: Rumphia, i. 110 Publishing author: Blume Publication: Rumphia, i. 104 Publishing author: L. Publication: Sp. Pl. 2: 964 1753 Name Status: Accepted Name . Latest taxonomic scrutiny: Govaerts R., 11-Nov-2003

Place of publication: H. Schott & S. L. Endlicher, Melet. bot. 17. 1832

Name verified on 28-Apr-2000 by ARS Systematic Botanists. Last updated: 28-Apr-2000

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Arisaema

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 435 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in this genus. Here are just 100 of them:

A. abei · A. acuminatum · A. addis-ababense · A. aequinoctiale · A. aff. erubescens · A. aff. jacquemontii · A. aff. ringens · A. aff. takedae · A. agasthyanum · A. akiense · A. album · A. ambiguum · A. amurense (Asian Green Dragon) · A. amurense dark-flowered · A. amurense f. purpureum · A. amurense f. violaceum · A. amurense green-flowered · A. amurense 'Green Form' (Asian Green Dragon) · A. amurense robustum · A. amurense serratum var. serratum f. serratum · A. angustatum · A. angustatum var. amurense · A. angustatum var. peninsulae · A. angustifoliatum · A. angustina · A. anomalum · A. aprile · A. arisanense · A. asperatum (Jack In The Pulpit) · A. atrorubens · A. atrorubens f. viride · A. atrorubens f. zebrinum · A. atrorubens var. zebrinum · A. auriculatum (Jack-In-The-Pulpit) · A. auriculatum var. hungyaense · A. austro-yunnanense · A. austroyunnanense · A. averyanovii · A. balansae · A. bannaense · A. barbatum · A. barnesii · A. bathycoleum (Jack in the Pulpit) · A. black-spathed · A. bogneri · A. bonatianum · A. bottae · A. brachyspatha · A. brachyspathum · A. brevipes (Jack in the Pulpit) · A. brevispathum · A. burmaense · A. calcareum · A. candidissimum (Chinese Jack-In-The-Pulpit) · A. candidissimum green-flowered · A. candidissimum pink-flowered · A. candidissimum white-flowered · A. candidissimum 'White Flower Form' (Chinese Jack-In-The-Pulpit) · A. candidissimum yellow-flowered · A. cangshanense · A. cf. consanguineum · A. chumponense · A. ciliatum (Arisaema) · A. ciliatum var. ciliatum · A. ciliatum var. liubaense · A. clavatum (Jack In The Pulpit) · A. cochinchinense · A. cochleatum · A. coenobialis · A. comutum · A. concinnum · A. concinnum 'Sikkim' · A. concinnum 'Yellow Spathe Form' (Chinese Cobra Lily) · A. concinum · A. condaoense · A. consanguinea · A. consanguineum (Jack in the Pulpit) · A. consanguineum consanguineum · A. consanguineum 'J. Balis' · A. consanguineum kelung-insulare · A. consanguineum marble-leaf red · A. consanguineum 'Poseidon' · A. consanguineum 'Qinling' · A. consanguineum silver-centred-leaf red · A. consanguineum 'Silver Center' · A. consanguineum 'Siren's Song' · A. consanguineum 'The Perfect Wave' · A. constrictum · A. cordatum · A. costatum (Jack in the Pulpit) · A. cretacea · A. cucullatum · A. dahaiense (Jack-In-The-Pulpit) · A. danzhuense · A. daochengense · A. decipiens · A. delavayi · A. dilatatum (Jack In The Pulpit) · A. dioscoridis · A. dracontium (Green Dragon)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 21, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. Sue A. Thompson "Araceae". in Flora of North America Vol. 22. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
  2. "Arisaema". in Flora of North America Vol. 22. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
  3. Mean = 216.680 meters (710.892 feet), Standard Deviation = 210.960 based on 2,045 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 7/1/2009