Amorphophallus atroviridis

Natural range and habitat of Amorphophallus atroviridis

Amorphophallus atroviridis is endemic to central Thailand, where it grows among limestone boulders.

How to care for Amorphophallus atroviridis

Its needs change with its growth cycle. While the leaf is present, keep Amorphophallus atroviridis warm in bright indirect light with naturally humid air. A deep pot with drainage holes gives the elongated tuber room to develop; use a loose, well-drained potting mix.

During leaf growth, keep the mix around the roots lightly moist. Water when the surface has dried, then let excess water drain away. Feed with houseplant fertiliser at about half the strength shown on the label while the leaf is actively growing.

A gradual, even fade followed by collapse of the leaf can mark the start of the normal rest. Reduce watering as the leaf dies back and keep the tuber dry once it is leafless. Begin with light watering when a new shoot appears, increasing the amount as a leaf develops. A flower spike can emerge before the next leaf, so keep early watering modest until a leaf is clearly developing.

Repot during the leafless rest when the tuber has filled the available space. Set it in fresh, well-drained mix with the growing point facing upwards.

Problems and solutions for Amorphophallus atroviridis

• Bleached or pale patches after strong direct sun: the leaf has probably been scorched. Move the plant to bright indirect light and leave the damaged areas until the leaf finishes its normal growth cycle.
• Soft tuber tissue or blackening at the growing point: tuber rot may be developing. Lift the tuber and cut damaged tissue back to firm healthy tissue with a clean blade. Discard the rotten material, then let the cut surface dry before replanting in fresh, freely draining mix. If the mix smells sour and the tuber is still firm and healthy, replace the wet mix and keep the tuber drier. Leave the healthy tissue intact.
• Tiny pale speckles or fine webbing on the leaf: spider mites may be feeding underneath. Keep the plant apart from other houseplants and rinse both sides of the leaf thoroughly. Inspect it again after a few days; if mites persist, use a houseplant mite treatment according to its label. Repeat it only as directed.

Amorphophallus atroviridis is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

When was Amorphophallus atroviridis first published, and what does it mean?

Amorphophallus combines Greek amorphos, misshapen, with phallos, phallus. The Latin epithet atroviridis means dark green.

Joseph Decaisne established the genus Amorphophallus in 1834 in Nouvelles Annales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, volume 3, page 366; Carl Ludwig Blume had proposed the name.

Wilbert Leonard Anna Hetterscheid first described Amorphophallus atroviridis in 1994 in Blumea, volume 39, page 245.