Any ideas what this plant is?

[wheatleys wheels]

I have a flower that comes up every year. It is a very large maroon coloured flower and only one per plant. I have here the first stages of it as I'm glad it's coming up again this year. I attach a photo that I would like to know if anyone knows what this is?

[Palustris]

It is either an Arisaema or an Arum. I think it is the former most likely, looking at the stem. Would need to see the flower to be certain of identity though. There are a couple of other aroids it might be as well, again the spathe would help.

[nick the grief]

The leaves don't look right for an Arum do they. Really need to see a bigger photo & one of the flower I think as Palustris says.

It obviously likes you

[wheatleys wheels]

found the flower

I found a picture of the flower that came from last year.... does it help?

for a larger pic see:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...els/flower.jpg

[TPeers]

Can't help identify it - but wow! what a plant! Looks vaguely like an arum of some kind to me, I grew one of the 'corpse plants' a fre years ago but I wouldn't swear to it!

Does it have a scent?

[wheatleys wheels]

I've never known it to have a scent but it stands about 3-4ft tall and I am impressed by it. I want to know the name, as I want to know how to get another (as I cant remember where I got it). Also I would like to know about pollenating it so that it can get to any fruit or seed it may produce, as all I ever get is the flower and I am intrigued if it does anything else. all help is appreciated.

[Palustris]

Definitely an aroid. Arisaema is still my preferred choice, though if it does not set seed then it may not be as they are usually self fertile. They are often fly pollenated, red berries on a stalk like Cuckoo pint. If it does then clean off the flesh when ripe (careful, some are very unpleasant) wash the seeds clean and sow immediately. No heat required, germination in Spring.
Been through the book, but cannot find one with a purely purple spathe like that. They are more often than not striped rather than solid colour.
If it does not smell really badly then Voodoo lily is out too.

[Two_Sheds]

It's looking a bit like Amorphophallus titanum (try google images)

[TPeers]

... and don't try saying THAT after a pint or two!

So does the latin translate the way it seems? 'Cause if so it's a very rude plant!

[wheatleys wheels]

I thikn you may be right Two Sheds... looking at the photos it looks right. Many thanks for all your help. At least I can see if I can purchase another to help

[Palustris]

I was thinking more like Dracunculus vulgaris myself. The Amorphophallus titanum is a bit bigger than you describe, is rather tender and is probably only to be found either in the Glasshouse at Kew or in the wild. I mean like the spathe is as tall as a grown man!

[wheatleys wheels]

palustris - I think you are right looking at the pics on the net i agree. many thanks for your help.

[Palustris]

Well, to give credit where credit is due, I did ask a leading expert on Arisaemas if he could identify it from the description I gave him. He immediately said Dracunculus, since he could not think of an Arisaema with a pure purple spathe as opposed to having stripes. That is the reason it took me till late last night to post the correct answer.