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Arisaema speciosum has medium-sized chocolate-maroon coloured spathes with white stripes arranged in a vertical fan-shape. The tip of the spathe hood is elongated and often droops down and together with the long attenuated spadix appendage gives this Arisaema one of its common names, the Double Whip Cobra Lily. Before the spathe fully opens it often resembles the beaked silhouette of a long-beaked bird.

The leaves are dramatically exotic and have three large segments that are heavily rugose underneath and margined with red.

Arisaemas resemble carnivorous plants, but in fact they attract flies and other insects as pollinators, not food. Their leaves are divided into three or more leaflets. Their fascinating "flower" a pulpit-like hooded spathe enclosing a fleshy, erect spadix usually rises in spring. Scarlet berries by late summer or autumn enclose seeds that are scattered by birds and other creatures.

They prefer a rich but well drained neutral to acid soil that does not dry out in the growing season.

The plant contains calcium oxylate crystals. These cause an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue if they are eaten but they are easily neutralized by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water. Tuber - it must be thoroughly dried or cooked before being eaten. The roots are buried in masses in pits until acetous fermentation takes place, they are then dug up, washed and cooked, by which means their acrimonious principles are in part dispersed.

See picture.

This rather bizarre, perennial plant, which grows to a height of approximately 30 cm (11.8 in), propagates vegetatively by tubers. Its stem, underground, is broad and glabrous. Bloom color: Green, Purple, Brown/Bronze. It is considered toxic, in as much as the leaves and tuber are emetic, if swallowed. The plant contains calcium oxylate crystals. These cause an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue if they are eaten.

Small, thin, rainforest tree of Central America with corky bark. Flowers appear mostly in clusters near the base of the tree with occasional solitary or paired flowers in the axils higher up. Flower resembles a small capped mushroom in the genus Marasmius and possibly pollinated by mushroom gnats. Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings.

Aristolochia fimbriata is an excellent hanging basket plant. Each rounded leaf is medium green, highlighted with dramatic silver veining.

Aristolochia fimbriata like to grow in a light and airy place, but not in direct sunlight. Water regularly during the growth period, once or twice a week. Water no more than once a week during winter. In winter, the stems retreat back to the base. It grows best in rich, well-drained soil.