Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees)

Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) brown stems on tall plant showing swollen green joints
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) stem sections with distinct green swollen knots along thin trunks

Botanical name: Gonatopus boivinii

Common name: Giraffe's Knees

Family: Araceae

Origin: Eastern Africa

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 10-11

Small plant 2-5 ftPlant form: Small
Plant mature sizeMature height: 2-5 ft
Semi-shadeShadeSun exposure: Semi-shade; shade
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Keep soil moistWatering: Keep soil moist
White, off-white flowersFlower color: White and off-white
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Ornamental foliageFoliage color: Ornamental foliage

It is an interesting and fun to grow aroid, suitable for indoor culture and not fussy about conditions. Large amorphophallus-like flowers on tall stalks emerge from winter dormant tubers. A single leaf arises from a flat tuber that will reach 6 inches across; the leaf often reaches 3 feet in height and is marbled with blackish-brown markings. The leaf stalk is swollen about halfway up giving it the appearance of a giraffe's knee.

Blooming Time: Late Spring. The plant needs filtered sunlight to light shade and warm temperatures. During the growing season the plant should be kept moist at all times. When the leaf dies back in fall the tubers are stored in peat moss or vermiculite.


Image gallery: 17 images
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green brown plant stem close up with distinct mottled markings.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) stem with unique green and brown mottled markings on its surface.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green plant leaves spread across the thin woody upright stems
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green leaves grow from thin woody stems reaching toward the light
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green plant with textured brown stem in close up view
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) showing a vertical green shoot emerging from a mottled brown stalk.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green plant vertical close up with thick stem and foliage.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) rising vertical green foliage growing tall on a thick stem.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) plant with green leaves and a cream colored flower
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) with green foliage and a tall cream colored upright flower
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) pale green white flower close up on a tall stalk.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) flower with speckled white and green textures on a thick stalk.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) white flower stalks rising above thick green foliage in a garden.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) tall white flower structures standing within dense and leafy green foliage.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) plant with tall mottled brown and green stems, close up.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) stems stand tall with spotted brown and green colorations.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green leaves close up showing segmented foliage with glossy skin
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green foliage with small segmented sections spread along thin stems.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green white speckled plant stalks in a close up view.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) stalks with green and white markings visible in a close up.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) mottled grey and white stem close up on plant
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) stem showing intricate grey and white markings inside container
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) plant with green and black mottled stalk close up.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) reveals unique spotted markings along the upright succulent stem.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) plant with green leaves and mottled stem in a container
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) in a container with green leaves and a patterned stem.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) white flower on a thick mottled green and black stalk close up.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) flower with a unique pale spathe and mottled stalk near bamboo stake.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green leaves on a plant in a black plastic pot.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green leaves reaching outward from a black nursery plastic pot.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) white flower close up with brown markings on a green stalk
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) flower with white berries and dark brown markings on a green stem.
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) green tuberous plant close up with speckled stem and small leaves
Gonatopus boivinii (Giraffe's Knees) tuber sits in a black pot with dark potting soil


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