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Robust to gigantic herb, up to 4 m tall, growing solitarily or in clumps. Rhizome short and slender to tuberous and very large, cylindrical, up to 2 m long and 0.6 m in diameter, sometimes globose, weighing up to 70 kg or even more, producing few to many suckers. Cyrtosperma merkusii used to be cultivated as a food crop in a manner similar to Taro (Colocasia). Since the unprocessed corms are toxic, they must always be cooked, usually in an earth oven.

Cyrtosperma is a semiaquatic aroid. The stalks have spiny, and the large lobed leaves are green. Perfect for greenhouse culture. Suitable for bogs and water gardens. Cyrtosperma used to be cultivated as a food crop in a manner similar to Taro (Colocasia)The leaves are used as food wrapings or plate; whereas, the stem, tuber, is cooked and eaten in many ways.

This genus is very sensitive to cool weather and must be protected from even the cooler days when the temperature falls to around 60F with wind.

Araceae contain crystals of calcium oxalate and proteolytic enzyme, which are often cited as causing the intense irritation experienced when handling or consuming the raw plant tissue of many genera in the family.

In addition to the use of lubricating secretions and downward-pointing hairs common to all North American pitcher plants to force their prey into the trap, this species carefully hides the tiny exit hole from trapped insects by curling it underneath and offering multiple translucent false exits. Upon trying many times to leave via the false exits, the insect will tire and fall down into the trap. The slippery walls and hairs prevent the trapped prey from escaping. The only other species that utilizes this technique is the Parrot Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia psittacina.

The "leaves" are actually large bracts that surround the less-conspicuous inflorescence. The bracts are white at the base, becoming green at the tips.

Dodecatheon are summer-dormant herbaceous perennials with basal rosettes of simple leaves and erect or arching stems bearing umbels of cyclamen-like flowers with strongly reflexed petals. The flowers can range from purplish, through pinks to white with cone-shaped, purple stamens and pistils.

Native habitat: Open woods and glades, rocky wooded slopes, dry to wet meadows and prairies. Prefers a moist to wet site.

Excellent for a waterside planting, but adaptable to rich border conditions or the woodland garden. They are also good for alpine houses.