Arisaema griffithii 'Pradhan'

Arisaema griffithii 'Pradhan', Pradhan's Cobra Lily, is a selected form of Arisaema griffithii that has a wider broader spathe hood than the type species. Originally discovered by Rai Saheb Ratna Bahadur Pradhan of the Chandra Nursery on a trip in the Gnathang Valley in East Sikkim it was described as Ariseama pradhanii by Cecil Ernest Claude Fischer, then later as Arisaema griffithii var. pradhanii and is now taxonomically described as a synonym of Arisaema griffithii. Amongst horticulturalists however, the larger spathe size and its overall impressive nature has meant that the distinction between the two has continued in usage athough Arisaema griffithii itself is already an extremely impressive species.

Arisaema griffithii 'Pradhan' flowers early in the Spring, usually just after Arisaema nepenthoides, its spathe arising rapidly from the soil and unfurling its massive green and purple hood which is prominently striped with yellowish-greenish vertical veins on the upper part and is veined in distinctive leopard spot markings on the lower part of the spathe. These stunning colours are best seen from behind and beneath the hood, backlit by the sun, when the transparent inflorescence takes on the luminous magical properties of a botanical stained glass window. This however, usually requires lying down on the ground!

Like all Arisaemas they need excellent drainage. Bedding the entire tuber in grit and sharp sand is a sensible approach and the entire substrate should be very free-draining with generous quantities of coarse bark, sharp sand and large grade 20mm shingle mixed into a humus-rich base. Partial or dappled shade is best as the large tripartite leaves which emerge after the inflorescence can get fried to a crisp if exposed to the full heat of the Spring sun.

Recommended. Limited quantities only