TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA


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Anchomanes difformis, Amorphophallus difformis, Anchomanes

Anchomanes difformis, Amorphophallus difformis

Anchomanes
Family: Araceae
Origin: Tropical Africa
USDA Zone: 9-11?
USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallSemi-shadeRegular waterDeciduous plantEthnomedical plant.
Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles.
Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Irritating plant

This is the most unusual aroid, distantly related to Amorphophallus. Growing from a horizontal tuber that can measure up to 30" long by 10" across, the plant produces one huge, much-divided leaf with a stout prickly stem.

Originated from the jungles of Benin, along the west coast of Africa. The indigenous people there use the species for a variety of medicinal properties.

These unusual plants grow from a thick, slowly growing tuber, often branching, which creeps horizontally just below the soil surface. The compound leaves are up to 30 inches tall and are supported on slender spotted stems with very rose-like thorns. The fascinating leaves are an enlogated bi-lobed bat shape, often with fenestrations (window holes).

Dormant all winter when they should be kept cooler but not cold, and the soil only occasionally lightly watered until spring. Upon warming weather, they should receive abundant water and bright light, but with no strong sunlight, as this is a jungle species. Often, but not every year, they begin growth with a tall, slender flower spike which may or may not self-pollinate and eventually produce a cluster of white berries which eventually turn voilet-purple when ripe and ready for planting. Germination takes several months, usually in spring of the following year. In Florida, they need only to be planted in the ground, and can then pretty much take care of themselves, although they grow equally well in pots. When in active growth, they want abundant water.


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Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/anchomanes_difformis.htm

Anchomanes (Amorphophallus) difformis var. Benin

This is a very rare species in cultivation, and likely a one time offering.
These unusual plants grow from a thick, slowly growing tuber, often branching, which creeps horizontally just below the soil surface. Horizontal tuber can measure up to 30" long by 10" across, the plant produces one huge, much-divided leaf with a stout prickly stem. The compound leaves are up to 30 inches tall and are supported on slender spotted stems with very rose-like thorns. The fascinating leaves are an enlogated bi-lobed bat shape, often with fenestrations (window holes).
These are now mature, over 20 years old seedlings of a most unusual aroid, distantly related to Amorphophallus. These seeds were planted in 2000, originated from an ethnobotanist in the jungles of Benin, along the west coast of Africa. The indigenous people there use the species for a variety of medicinal properties.


Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Robusta - Rapid Growth Booster
This item is certified for shipping to California.
Grown in
6"/1 gal pot, Tuber in Fall-Winter
In stock
$49.95