Solved Possibly related to Ecomis? Asking for a friend

A friend asked me what this plant is, failed miserably! She was given it with words to the effect it might survive it might not up here in Scotland. Sorry her photos are not the best.


The plant, probably a bulb? Was given to her in a pot so she is not really sure if it’s a bulb or not. It evidently flowered white similar to a lily. It is about 3 ft tall and I only saw it a setting seed stage. The stem is really very unusual from a colour point of view. The only plant I know that has a similar stem is Ecomis but the leaves are all wrong. This plant in,y has leaves at the top of the stem and they are pointed. Hopefully someone can tell me what it is and if so any point in try to save/ sow the seed?

 

Thanks JWK. Had a look at your suggestion, good idea but not that. It is the leaves which are puzzling me as there are none at the base of the plant if it is a bulb. Maybe the fund of knowledge aka Silver Surfer will be able to identify.

 

Possibly Dracunculus vugaris.

 

@hailbopp
Could be an Arisaema, picture of flower would help. Certainly the seed spike is like that of other aroids. White flower made me think Zandeschia, but leaves are wrong. Leaves also don't fit Arisaema candissimum.
Seeds will turn orange/red when ripe and I have germinated them. I followed this advise
Growing Arisaema from Seed – Arisaema Resource
Applies to pretty much all aroids. Rubber gloves recommended when cleaning seed as berrys contain fine crystals of calcium oxalate which are sharp and irritating.

 

Lol I thought you were taking the proverbial and it was something to do with Dracula! Googled it and no you were not trying to pull my leg, however sadly unless friend has lost her marbles she told me it flowered but the flower was sort of Lily like and white. I am beginning to wonder if she is mistaken or been on too much gin!

 

Leaves don't look like Dracunculus http://www.plantsystematics.org/users/sv22/6_30_10/Dracunculus_vulgaris.jpg
However there is a white form I think, though the size and shape of the spadix would have been noticed and commented on.

 

@hailbopp when were the pictures taken?

 

Many thanks Nigel, I had a look at the link you sent and some of the different varieties have a distinct similarity to what I saw. The photo was taken yesterday. Friend was given the plant last year and it did not flower. It died right down in the autumn, she presumed she had lost it, she is not a very knowledgeable, but getting keen gardener. To her delight it reappeared and she told me it flowered white and similar to a lily, BUT what she might think is like a Lily and what is was really like could be different, and gin might have played a part in the perhaps wrong description! The leaves of some of the Arisaema are similar and are towards the top of the stem and some have this very striking odd coloured stems. I will have a further look for photos on the net to see if I can 100% identify but great shout.

 

In that case it's likely to be summer flowering Arisaema, I still have leaves on some of mine. Not many white ones though. Leaf shape is a good identifier for them .
They can be addictive though and a number would be hardy in Scotland.

 

I'd say a variety of arisaema.

 

Thanks everybody, success. I found a photo of Arisaema Tortuosum flowering on the net which looked pretty right leaf and stem wise and sent it to my pal. Friend has confirmed you are correct and passes on her thanks. The plant is growing in her walled garden......I try SO HARD not to go green when I visit her garden, what wouldn’t I give to have such a great area to grow things with little fear of plants being damaged by high winds plus increase in temperatures.The Arisaema is growing in front of a wall so a good spot for it,I doubt it would survive in my much more open garden,sadly.

 

How did I miss this thread?
I love Arisaema, used to grow, many different sp.
Still grow a few in new garden here in Perth.
They come fro Himalaya region so should be fine outside in the ground even in Scotland.

The original pic is not very clear.
I am having trouble making out the shape /pattern of a single leaf....I have tried to lighten original pic...1st pic below
Other pics below are my Arisaema tortuosa...not sure if it is a match.
Id from leaves is not safe...you need to see the flower..the spathe etc.