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Arisaema dracontium - (L.)Schott.
Green-Dragon
Author (L.)Schott. Botanical references 43, 200, 274
Family Araceae Genus Arisaema
Synonyms Arum dracontium - L.
Known Hazards warning signThe 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.
Range Eastern N. America - Quebec to Florida, west to Wisconsin, Nebraska and Texas.
Habitat Rich moist woods[222]. Found mainly in wet woods and along the sides of streams, but sometimes also in dry soils[235].
Edibility Rating apple icon 1 (1-5) Medicinal Rating apple icon 1 (1-5)
Physical Characteristics
icon of man icon of perennial/biennial/annual Perennial growing to 0.8m by 0.5m.
It is hardy to zone 4. It is in flower in May. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Flies. The plant not is self-fertile.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Deep Shade;
Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root.

Root. Considered to be edible once it has been dried, aged and elaborately processed[222]. The root contains calcium oxalate crystals - these are destroyed by drying the plant or by thorough cooking[K].
Medicinal Uses

Antiasthmatic; Women's complaints.

The dried and aged root was used by the N. American Indians in the treatment of 'female disorders'[222, 257]. The plant (leaves?) were chewed in the treatment of asthma[213].
Other Uses

None known
Cultivation details

Prefers a cool peaty soil in the bog garden, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade[90, 134, 200]. 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[1, 200]. Tubers should be planted about 10cm deep[233]. Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter[200]. Plants need protection from slugs[200]. Most species in this genus are dioecious, but they are sometimes monoecious and can also change sex from year to year.
Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame[134]. 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[134]. 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.

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Mycomancer said:

I wonder if taking a leaf or cutting so that i may root and grow it out would be under thr protection of law and morality? If i can grow a few i can place the mature plants back into the wild, thus growing its population instead of destroying it.

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