Dragon Stalk Yam (Amorphophallus commutatus)
Amorphophallus is a large genus of some 170 tropical and subtropical tuberous herbaceous plants, which includes the world's largest flower, Titan Arum. Dragon Stalk Yam grows from a subterranean tuber. From the top of this tuber a single leaf is produced atop a trunk like petiole followed, on maturity, by a single inflorescence. This leaf consists of a vertical leaf stalk and a horizontal blade, which may consist of a number of small leaflets. The leaf lasts one growing season. This flower appears before the onset of the monsoon and the leaves appear with the rains. Flowers have a fetid smell and attract flies for pollination. Amorphophallus commutatus fruits are eaten by koels and bulbuls.
Medicinal uses: Unverified information - Tuber paste is applied externally to cure scabies
"Amorphophallus commutatus", or dragon stalk yam, is a plant species in the family Araceae. "Amorphophallus" is a large genus of some 170 tropical and subtropical tuberous herbaceous plants, which includes the world's largest flower, titan arum.