Description
Pinellia –
There 6 vigorously spreading, sometime highly invasive, tuberous perennials in the Araceae family in this genus. They occur in deciduous forest, cultivated fields, and roadsides in China, Korea, and Japan. They produce simple, 3 palmate or pedate, basal leaves are rounded to ovate-lance shaped or heart shaped, and 1 ½-8″ long. It bears long, fine, black, green, or dark purple spadices, protruding from cylindrical spathes, are borne in summer. Grow in a woodland or rock garden. Roots are used in Chinese medicine.
Plant tubers 4-6′ deep in spring. Grow in fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade, Divide in early spring.
P. ternata – This tuberous perennial from China, Korea, and Japan grows 8″ tall and 2″ wide. It produces 3 palmate, mid green leaves, which are composed of ovate-elliptic to oblong segments, 1 1/4-5″ long. In late summer it bears slightly hooded pale green spathes, to 3″ long, each with a protruding, slender green spadix. Often Highly invasive. Should be grown in acidic, humus rich soil in shade.
Zones 6-9
