Amorphophallus konjac 'Gordon's Gold' - from Dave Gordon comes this golden-leaved selection of Devil's Tongue. In open or dappled shade the golden hue will illuminate. In deeper shade the yellow will fade to green quickly. Increase your odds by offering a couple hours of early morning sun and the golden hue will hold for the season. From the flattened round tuber which will grow eventually to about 10 inches in diameter arises a fleshy green stem spotted brown. Dichotomous appearing bi-pinnately compound foliage is suggestively tropical. When mature enough a wild, bizarre and large (to 2 feet tall) dusky red-purple-brown malevolent spathe flower smelling of rotten meat blossoms on a stem that may rise as high as 5 feet – a flower that only Morticia Addams would embrace; although admittedly we find them mesmerizing, fascinating and exotic - no texture quite like 'em! And isn't there at least a touch of Morticia in so many of us? This is a food plant in various parts of Asia; it also has laxative, cleansing and satiety properties. Easy to grow in large containers in the north it is a tropical to subtropical plant that appreciates a fertile moisture retaining soil which has been amended with organic matter. Grow it in shade or dappled conditions sheltered from wind. At the end of the growing season place it in a cool corner in your basement or under a bench if you have a cool greenhouse. Ours remain potted in one of our cool greenhouses. Water less when dormant. Potted bulb.

We find all the aroids fascinating, primitive, oddly alluring, curious, with some - those emitting dangerous scent exude lurid malevolence. They are amazing. Their texture is unequaled in the garden adding exceptional interest, excitement and primitive presence.