Common Name:

General Information

Amorphophallus kachinensis is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a solitary leaf each year from a tuberous rootstock. The leaf can be 100cm in diameter on a stem 20cm or more long[].
The plant is occasionally grown in gardens as a vegetable and for its edible tubers[].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a family where most of the members contain calcium oxalate crystals. This substance is toxic fresh and, if eaten, makes the mouth, tongue and throat feel as if hundreds of small needles are digging in to them. However, calcium oxalate is easily broken down either by thoroughly cooking the plant or by fully drying it and, in either of these states, it is safe to eat the plant.
People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos.

Habitat

Dense climax forests, on limestone rocks; at elevations from 1,000 - 1,500 metres in Yunnan[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Members of this genus generally require a moist but well-drained, humus-rich, fertile soil and a position in dappled shade[].
The flowers emit an unpleasant, rancid smell that attracts pollinating insects[].

Edible Uses

Tuber - cooked[]. The corm must be thoroughly boiled or baked, it is acrid when raw (see notes above on 'Known Hazards'[])[]. The fresh corms are turned into curd, or are chopped then dried[]. The curd is relatively tasteless, but it absorbs flavours well and so can be used as a carbohydrate element in a wide range of other foods[]. The depressed, globose tuber can be 5 - 30cm in diameter and 3 - 5cm or more tall[].

Leaves - cooked?[]. They need to be thoroughly cooked[]. The report refers to the plant being grown as a vegetable and for its edible tuber - so the assumption is that, like several other members of this genus, the leaves are used as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Offsets.

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