Common Name:

General Information

Arisaema thunbergii is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a tuber that is usually renewed seasonally. The plant produces a solitary leaf 25 - 50cm tall and a flowering stem 15 - 35cm 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 use in Chinese Traditional Medicine.

Known Hazards

The plant contains calcium oxylate crystals. These cause an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue if they are eaten but they are easily neutralized by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water.

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Japan, Korea, Taiwan.

Habitat

Forests, thickets; at elevations from near sea level to 1,100 metres in Taiwan[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Flies
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a cool peaty soil in the bog garden, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade[, ]. Prefers 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 hot or exposed[, ].
Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[]. Plants need protection from slugs[].
Most species in this genus are dioecious, but they are sometimes monoecious and can also change sex from year to year.
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 3 - 6cm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

The tuber is alterative, anaesthetic, deobstruent, discutient, diuretic, expectorant, vulnerary[, ]. It is recommended in the treatment of apoplexy, hemiplegia, epilepsy, and many other diseases supposed to depend upon the presence of phlegm[].
It is pounded and mixed with vinegar or oil, and applied to small tumours or swellings. Having a somewhat benumbing influence, similar to that of aconite, it is sometimes used as an ingredient in certain local ansesthetic compounds, which are applied to painful growths, or to abscesses previous to being opened by those who are bold enough to venture upon such a surgical procedure[].

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.