Bengal Arum is an aroid distributed throughout India. This strange
plant has very narrow 3 ft flower heads emerging before leaves in spring,
then unfurl into only kind of narrow, with intricate maroon and cream
patterning. When the leaves do appear, they're large and compound, similar
to Cobra Lily, on a stalk that is light green and black-patterned. It
emits a distinctive odour for a few hours when it first blooms, like most
arums. Tubers are eaten in some tribal societies and the plant also has
various medicinal uses. Flowering: August.
Identification credit: Ratna Ghosh
Photographed in Botanical Garden, Sibpur, Howrah.
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The flower labeled Bengal Arum is ...