The Dragon flower (Dracunculus vulgaris) is an interesting member of the Arum family and a native of the Mediterranean region. The plant's name is associated with its resemblance to a dragon's tongue. This unusual plant is also called the Voodoo lily, Black dragon, and Dragon arum.
Its dark purple spadix emits a most unforgettable foul odor smelling of rotten meat. Fortunately, this rotten odor occurs only when the flower is mature and lasts long enough to attract a few flies, approximately one day. Flies are its chief pollinator of the Dragon flower.
So far I have noticed no scent of rotten meat. I was told at Traces that theirs hasn't propagated, but mine has and mine is small in comparison.
Considered huge in every way, mature dragon flower plants reach heights of 18-30 inches tall. The 10-12 inch flowers range in color from deep maroon to nearly black and last for 7-10 days. You can expect to find the unusual Dragon flower plant blooming in late spring to early summer.
I can hardly wait for mine to get that big. The woman at Traces said she has a collector of rare and unusual flowers who is in the market for one. I may follow up with this, since I have several. But first I'm going to give it a little care, since: This plant grows in either full sun or light shade and prefers moist, humus-rich soil. My soil is far from rich and mostly hard as rock clay. Oh well.
3 comments:
Girl,
I thought it said 8 (eight) comments, but it said 0 (zero). I'm going to have to break down and get some reading glasses for sure.
I love looking at the flowers and patio in your garden. When I get back to Austin next year, I'm going to start growing me a garden.
With weed in it, too.
We've got a Voodoo Lily in the garden that has many of the same properties: bad smell, wild looks and tres exotic.
Then again, I might be speaking of myself in that depiction...
Peggy, If you will cut and cure (hang upside down) a couple of those flowers, I would seriously be happy to purchase them from you? Honestly. lemme know?
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