Common Name:

General Information

Arisaema yunnanense is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a tuber that is usually renewed seasonally. The plant produces 1 - 2 leaves 40 - 70cm tall with a flowering stem 20 - 75cm tall. The tuber also produces some tubercles around its base - these become separated from the old tuber at the end of the season, growing on in subsequent years to form new plants[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. This species is widely cultivated throughout the world and is an important ornamental[].
Forest clearing for agriculture and plantations is occurring throughout the ecoregions where this species is found. This species does not appear to be very habitat specific however, being able to grow in dry and rocky conditions and also along roadsides - therefore habitat degradation is not likely to be seriously affecting this hardy species. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam

Habitat

Pinus and Pinus-Quercus forests, grassy slopes, roadsides, thickets; at elevations from 700 - 3,200 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally prefer a cool moist peaty soil in the bog, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade[, ]. They prefer a loamy or peaty soil[] and will tolerate a sunny position if the soil is moist but not water-logged and the position is not too exposed[, ]. This species does not appear to be very habitat specific, being able to grow in dry and rocky conditions and also along roadsides[].
Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[]. Plants need protection from slugs[].
The plant is paradioecious. The sex depends on nutrition and is therefore variable from one year to another[]. Smaller plants produce only staminate flowers, whilst 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[].

Edible Uses

The tubers of several species in this genus are recorded as being edible after treatment. We have no specific information for this species, but the depressed-globose tuber is 5 - 40mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

The tubers are used to treat coughs, epilepsy, and tetanus[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame[]. Stored seed remains viable for at least a year and can be sown in spring in the greenhouse but it will probably require a period of cold stratification. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 6 months at 15°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least a coupe of years until the corms are more than 20mm in diameter. Plant out into their permanent positions whilst they are dormant.
Division of tubers when the plant dies down in late summer.