“Voodoo Lily: I think I met a girl called that once,” reminisced Nick Graham of Science Oxford. Perhaps that is why we find Dracunculus vulgaris of southeastern Europe being sold under its alternate name of Dragon Arum.
An heirloom plant first introduced into horticulture in 1853, it has also gone by such names as Black Arum, Snake Lily, Stink Lily, Black Dragon, Black Lily, Dragonwort, and even Ragon. Technically an aroid, it belongs to that fascinating family the Araceae, home to such as our own native woodland Jack-in-the-Pulpit and popular tropical houseplants Dieffenbachia, Philodendron, Spathiphyllum along with many others.
The large crimson red ‘flowers’ – in botanical parlance a spathe – enclosing the tall black two-foot spadix makes for an unusual and exotic display in early to mid-summer. Not surprisingly then it has been called the most spectacular of the European aroids, although its native range extends from the Balkans through the Aegean Islands and Crete, into Anatolia in western Turkey. In that last area, the large tuber has found use in the treatment rheumatism while the fruit, including the seeds, has been used for haemorrhoids. It only needs to be added that all parts of the plant, as with so many aroids, are poisonous.
Call it what you will, Dracunculus vulgaris requires a sunny location in fertile, most soil with a neutral pH. Even given that, it may take two or more years to bloom, according to many who have patiently cultured the plant to success.
Every year though if all is well a large leaf should appear. While waiting console yourself with the knowledge that it has successfully naturalized itself in such far-flung locations as Italy, North Africa, Oregon, California, Tennessee, and even Puerto Rico.
But how, you may be wondering, did it attain its popular nomen? Like so many of its ilk, it is pollinated by carrion flies and beetles, attracted to its strong scent of rotten meat that lasts for about 24 hours. Best not to plant too close to the patio, deck or back door.
Wes Porter is a horticultural consultant and writer based in Toronto. Wes has over 40 years of experience in both temperate and tropical horticulture from three continents.
