"Arum trilobatum"???

From: Ellen Hornig hornig at Oswego.EDU> on 2001.12.18 at 23:22:00(7947) Hello, all. I need some help here, being woefully ignorant of the tropical aroids. I bought an old Curtis print on eBay (#339, dated 1796) depicting "Arum trilobatum" (Arisarum amboynicum is given as a synonym). The plant is described as native to Amboyna (???) as well as Ceylon. Do these names ring a bell with anyone? The text accompanting the print does not give dimensions, but indicates the leaf is more sagittate than otherwise (the lobes are fairly prominent, hence the specific epithet), and describes the plant thus: "It is one of the least of the tribe....distinguished by the rich, brown, velvety appearance of its flowers; the length of its tapering spadix, which on its lower part is full of little cavities, and resembles a piece of metal corroded by long exposure; and by the intolerable stench which the whole of the flower, but more especially the spadix, sends forth." The picture shows the spathe to be bent back towards the ground somewhat, and the spadix to be - um - heartily erect. I can e-mail a scan to anyone who thinks they can be helpful. If, BTW, anyone collects old plates of tropical aroids, feel free to get in touch (PRIVATELY)...it could be arranged. My own interests lie with the hardy ones. Thanks in advance, Ellen +More ******************************************************************* Ellen Hornig Seneca Hill Perennials 3712 County Route 57 Oswego, New York 13126 USA USDA zone 5B (mintemps -10 to -20F) Phone:(315) 342-5915 Fax: (315) 342-5573 Website: www.senecahill.com

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