Common Name:

General Information

Amorphophallus variabilis is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 1 - 2 leaves from a tuberous rootstock that can be 15cm in diameter. The leaves are up to 125cm long on a stalk up to 120cm long. A flowering stem 15 - 80cm tall is produced annually[].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for its edible tuber and young shoots, which are eaten locally.

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

Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Beetles
Cultivation Status	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 are pollinated by beetles, which are attracted to the sickly-sweet, durian-like smell the flowers produce[].

Edible Uses

Tubers - cooked[]. The tuber must be thoroughly boiled or baked to destroy an acrimonious principle (See notes on 'Known Hazards' above[])[]. The tubers can be peeled, cooked and then pounded to extract their starch, which is solidified with dissolved limestone into an edible gel called 'Konnyaku'[]. Konnyaku is a type of flour valued for its use in many dietary products[]. The flour is valued for its ability to clean the digestive tract without being a laxative[].
The white tuber can up to 15cm in diameter and 8cm long, weighing up to 1.5 kg[]. Each year it produces rhizomatous, spindle-shaped offsets 10 - 15mm long[].

Young shoots - cooked[]. The shoots must be thoroughly boiled or baked to destroy an acrimonious principle (See notes on 'Known Hazards' above[])[].

Medicinal

The leaves are smoked as a narcotic substitute for tobacco[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - usually germinates easily and well[].
Division of offsets.

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