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Green-Dragon

Arisaema dracontium
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Arisaema dracontium (Green-Dragon) — botanical photograph
Pl. 1EC2 — Arisaema dracontium
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Overview

Green-Dragon (Arisaema dracontium) is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States and northeastern Mexico. It thrives in moist, light to partial shade environments with well-draining soil. This plant, known for its edible root, can be found across states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. One distinctive feature of Green-Dragon is its unique spathe and spadix structure, resembling a dragon's tongue, which gives the plant its common name.

Quick answers

What is Green-Dragon?

Green-Dragon (Arisaema dracontium) is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States and northeastern Mexico. It thrives in moist, light to partial shade environments with well-draining soil.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Green-Dragon thrives in partial sun to full shade and prefers moist, light or medium soil. Hardy in zones 4-8, it is a perennial that grows up to 0.8 meters tall. For best results, keep the soil consistently moist. Propagate via division of rhizomes or from seed. The edible root can be harvested for culinary use.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade, Full shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.8 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow Green-Dragon for the first time

8steps

Start with Green-Dragon as a simple, low-maintenance perennial for your garden.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    A small Green-Dragon plant or seeds, potting soil, and a container if planting in a pot.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in early spring after the last frost or late summer for best results.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy) and medium textures. Ensure containers have drainage holes.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Transplant young plants carefully, ensuring the corm is not damaged. For seeds, sow them 2-3 cm deep in moist soil.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep the soil consistently moist and place the plant in partial shade to avoid sunburn.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Provide light to full shade, keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize sparingly with compost.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune dead foliage after the plant dies back in fall to maintain a neat appearance.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in full sun, and not providing enough shade are common issues. Avoid using heavy fertilizers.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: The root of the Green-Dragon plant is edible and can be prepared in various ways. Typically, it is cooked to ensure safety due to potential toxins. The root can also be dried for later use. Skip raw consumption as it may contain harmful compounds.
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

38 native · 0 introduced
Distribution across1 continent· 38 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Arisaema dracontium (Green-Dragon) — botanical photograph
Green-Dragon (Arisaema dracontium)
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Explore further

Companion planting
Growing zone
XII

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