Arisaema tortuosum, Arum tortuosum

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.

Arisarum vulgare

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.

Aristolochia philippinensis

Aristolochia philippinensis is an erect, evergreen shrub growing up to 1 metre tall with old stems up to 4cm in diameter.

This species containes aristolochic acid, which is known to have toxic side effects in larger doses. Acute toxic manifestations are tachycardia, increased respiratory rate, ataxia, sedation and marked vasodilation. Short-term chronic toxic effects include hepatotoxicity, marked renal damage and mild hematologic dyscracias.

Asclepias curassavica

The extremely bright color make it easy to spot. Like most milkweeds the juice is milky white. This plant is attractive to butterflies. Long bloom period from late spring throughout the summer. Flowers are a nectar source for many butterflies and leaves are a food source for monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars). Drought-tolerant.

Asclepias incarnata

This pretty flower is an erect, clump-forming, Missouri native plant which is commonly found in swamps, river bottomlands and wet meadows throughout the State. It typically grows 3-4' tall on branching stems. Small, fragrant, pink to mauve flowers (1/4" wide), each with five reflexed petals and an elevated central crown, appear in tight clusters (umbels) at the stem ends in summer.

Flowers are followed by attractive seed pods (to 4" long) which split open when ripe releasing silky-haired seeds easily carried by the wind. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies as a nectar source. In addition, swamp milkweed is an important food source (albeit somewhat less important than upland species of Asclepias) for the larval stage of Monarch butterflies.

Genus name honors the Greek god Asklepios the god of medicine. Specific epithet means flesh-colored.

Easily grown in full sun. Tolerant of average well-drained soils in cultivation even though the species is native to swamps and wet meadows. Plants have deep taproots and are best left undisturbed once established. Foliage is slow to emerge in spring.

Sunny borders, stream/pond banks, butterfly gardens. A good plant for low spots or other moist areas in the landscape.

Stems exude a toxic milky sap when cut.