Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Schott

Corm very acrid; lvs mostly 2, the petiole 3–6 dm at anthesis, sometimes later to 15 dm; lfls 3, acuminate, the terminal elliptic to rhombic-ovate, the lateral often asymmetrical; veins of the lfls parallel from the midrib to the marginal vein, connected by numerous anastomosing veinlets; peduncle 3–20 cm; spathe convolute below, expanded above and arched over the spadix, abruptly acuminate; spadix cylindric or barely clavate, yellow, blunt; fr 1 cm; 2n=28, 56. N.S. to N.D., s. to Fla. and Tex. Spring. Four vars., 3 in our range, the fourth (quinatum) southern:

It is a temperate plant. It grows in light shade. They can tolerate cold. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

The tubers (corms) are used to produce a very fine flour like arrowroot. They are sliced, dried and stored to reduce the acridity then made into flour. Caution: Like all Araceae family the plant contains calcium oxalate and needs special processing.

It is grown from corms. These are dormant in the winter. Plants can be grown from fresh seed.