[aroid-l] The Aroid Taste & Smell Garden

From: "Ron Iles" roniles at eircom.net> on 2002.09.16 at 13:32:39(9423) Addendum Here are my tentative suggestions on Spathiphyllum for the Garden of Taste & Smell Memorability (Mnemonic = GOTASM?) 1. The most perfumed Spathiphyllum are in Section Massowia (S. cannifolium & S. commutatum) followed by some in Section Spathiphyllum. 2. Species Section Amomophyllum with reflexed spathes have little or no perfume +More perceptible to me. 3. IThe priority is to secure maximum stocks of all the wild species in cultivation together in single places. One then has heterogeneity, the perfume of Section Massowia, the dark green foliage of Section Spathiphyllum & the exquisitely reflexed spathes, distinctive foliages & elegant spadices of species of Section Amomophyllum? It seems that apart from size variation cultivars are commonly homogeneous with reduced or no perceptible perfume. It would seem good if hybridisation took account of all the species in the genus 4. It would be good to know which forms are safely edible & how palatable they are. When I have adequate colonies & all are in flower, lavishly paying guests are invited to this humble abode to be guinea pigs & rate their good taste on a scale of minus ten to plus ten with Durian & Titanum fruit being the lower & upper reference points? 5. Since Aroid-L cannot handle tastes & smells please send your samples for identification in a well sealed envelope to the address below. SWAK. WASP ----- Original Message ----- To: Sent: Monday, September 16, 2002 1:42 PM Subject: Re: [aroid-l] Edible Spathiphyllum Inflorescences? Jonathan Thank you. Here, the fragrances of Spathiphyllum inflorescences range from zero through just perceptible to the all pervading "spicy luxuriance" of S. cannifolium. Intermediate are a few which to me outclass the most exquisite Man-made perfumes. Spadic fragrance seems to be most at times of peak fertility. Many commercial hybrids seem to have little fragrance. I have not had the opportunity to taste the inflorescences. Spathiphyllum toxicity has been reported so I might be cautious of eating them without a willing human guinea pig food taster. According to Bunting 1960 the edible spadix of S.phryniifolium is up to 11.5 cm long. Some of the different forms here under that name had spadices <7cms, a light snack . The most vigorous of the forms may be the true species. Here the largest spadix is that of the aptly named S. grandifolium about 15 cms (6") long. Several of them might make a "asparagus-like" meal. It is moderately perfumed. Some Spathiphyllum cultvars are rumoured to have spathes (not spadices) >25 cms. Aroid smells, tastes, textures? Is this just the beginning of a most comprehensive sensual wondering? For the record, please do you have the name & origin of your Spathiphyllum species at Vanderbilt? Ron Iles (World Allied Spathiphyllum Promotions) (For future reference - WASP) Jonathan wrote I find this most interesting, especially with this particular species, for the simple reason that the infructesence, when ripe, smells to me and many others who have obliged me by smelling the thing, just like butterscotch - which of course is a man-made fragrance/taste sensation. Interesting indeed, although I doubt that there's any suggestion of that in the developing inflor. that is used for food. Jonathan Ertelt Greenhouse Manager, Vanderbilt University

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