The unpleasant smell that the flower omits is only present for a few hours after the flower opens. If the flower is pollinated (normally by flies if the plant is outside) it will take 1 year for the plant to mature its seeds. The seed stalk is very pretty with the seeds changing colors from green to red. During this time the tuber will not produce a leaf.
The young leaves, stems, and corms are as vegetables or turned into desserts. They are thoroughly cooked to destroy the stinging oxalate crystals.
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