Herself’s Houston Garden

What a name! Synandrospadix vermitoxicus, I wasn’t sure if it was toxic to vermin or a verminous plant because it is toxic? The name sold me. After some digging I found out it means toxic to worms/insects.

The plant will reach a little more than a foot or two in height and about one to two feet across.

It grows well in full sun, and dry areas along the roads of north west Argentina. But the recommendation from all sources I’m reading suggest light shade and a moist soil. I’ve also read it will grow in shallow water, should you need a plant for a boggy area of your garden. So treat it as you would any other aroid.

Flowers are typical for aroids. These ones are green on the outside and mottled brownish purple and white on the inside for this plant. The inner cone will be purple. I’ll post a photo as soon as it blooms.

At one time it was part of the diet for Chorote Indians in Argentina, it is not so much anymore due to a change toward a more modern diet.

Propagate from offsets and seeds.

This plant was purchased at the Mercer Summer Plant Sale.

( I’ll add more information as it grows, there is little to be found on this plant online or in my books. )