Devil's Tongue

Devil's Tongue  (Amorphophallus)

Devil's Tongue (Amorphophallus) is a genus of plants with a spadix, compare a Calla or Arum Lily (Arum). Each plant gets only 1 spadix per season with numerous small flowers inside. Devil's Tongue is pollinated by insects that crawl into the spadix. The insects are drawn to the usually foul-smelling odour that spreads the top of the spadix. After pollination, berries form. Many species of Devil's Tongue go dormant after flowering, i.e. the leaves die above ground. Only the flask with berries remains. Devil's Tongue likes a spot in the (semi) shade on a soil that is sufficiently moist. It is a plant for a forest environment. Good neighbouring plants are for example Hosta (Hosta), Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) and ferns. It can take several years before a Devil's Tongue plant is big enough to flower. Devil's Tongue moderately hardy. If you want to try it outside, cover the plants in winter with a thick package of dead leaves or straw.