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Dracunculus (Dragon Aroid) & Helicodiceros (Dead Horse Arum)

Dragon Aroid is a small genus with two species only. Dracunculus canariensis is native of the Canary islands and has a narrow, pure white spathe and a yellow spadix, whereas the overall much larger Dracunculus vulgaris from the Mediterranean has a broad, blackish-red (rarely rose, greenish-white or white) spathe and an almost black (rarely yellow) spadix. Dead Horse Arum is a monotypic genus close to Dracunculus with only this species, Helicodiceros muscivorus. It is native of few islands in the western Mediterranean (Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearics). It has impressive, horizontally hold inflorescences which may gain up to 30cm in length. All three species are wintergreen and summer dormant and can be easily grown in any rich, very well drained substrate in a sunny spot during their growing period in winter at some 15°C to 25°C. They may withstand slight temporary freezing, but should preferably be grown under frostfree conditions. During dormancy in summer keep tubers dry.
Sow seeds in any rich, well drained substrate at some 15°C to maximum 20°C at day and some 10°C to 15°C at night. Germination will usually take place at decreasing temperatures in autumn. At constantly warm temperatures seeds will stay dormant and will not germinate.
All are USDA Climate Zone 9/10.
10 seeds per package.

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Helicodiceros muscivorus (Dead Horse Arum)

30 (75)cm, Dead Horse Arum has a broad and long, horizontally hold inflorescence with a spathe being pale green outside and shaded dull red inside. Its typical black spadix shows long "hairs". Leaves are nicely divided, fresh green to dark green. For any humus rich, yet very well drained soil in a sunny spot. Helicodiceros muscivorus is wintergreen and not sufficiently hardy to be grown outside in Central Europe or North America. Best for pot cultivation in a sunny spot in a cool, yet almost frostfree greenhouse or wintergarden at some 15°C to 25°C. Keep tubers completely dry during dormancy in summer. As soon as new leaves are formed in autumn, carefully water again. IV-VI.
10 seeds per package.

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