Jacquemont's Cobra Lily

Variable in size of plant and leaves. Plants with larger size have darker leaves, up to 20 x 9.5 cm and larger seeds (3-3.5 mm broad). The number of leaflets is variable and in some cases (Gharial, R.R. & I.D. Stewart 3807, p.p.; Murree Hills, R.R. Stewart July, 1948; Alwas, Chamba State, R.R. & I.D. Stewart June 1917, p.p.) have 3 leaflets and in one extreme case, the same plant has 1 and 5 leaflets. Inflorescence producing 2 spadices enclosed in a single spathe has also been observed in a specimen from Upper Topa (E.N. & M.A.S. 1503). The species is fairly common in forest openings from 2300-3400 m.

Paradioecious. Bulb subglobose, 2-3 cm broad. Leaves 1 or 2. Leaflets 5-7, elliptic-ovate or elliptic-lanceolate, 4.5-13.5 x 2-4 cm, caudate-subacuminate, subsessile, cuneate, subentire, wavy to crenulate; petiole up to 22 cm long. Spathe green, white-streaked, as long as or longer than the foliage; tube cylindric, 3.7-5.5 cm long; limb curved, oblong to oblong-ovate, slightly shorter than the tube, tail 4-8 cm. Spadix included in the spathe; appendage rather stout, curved, base dilated, truncate (in male) or cuneate (in female); in male, spadix 3-5.4 cm long (in female 5.8-6.2 cm at post anthesis), darker towards the tips. Male flowers: stamens stipitate, anthers subglobose, c. 1 mm broad, dehiscing by longitudinal slits or by an apical pore. Female flowers: ovary subglobose, 1.5-2 mm long, style subsessile, stigma disciform. Berries globose, 4-4.5 mm broad, red when mature. Seeds 3-8, subglobose, up to 2.5 mm broad, reddish brown, acutish at one end.

Afghanistan, Himalaya (Kashmir to Bhutan), N. Assam, S.E. Tibet.

Distribution: Kurram, Afghanistan, subtropical and temperate Himalayas, from Kashmir to Sikkim, S. Tibet and N. Assam.

2700-4000 m

Fl. Per.: June July.

Arisaema jacquemontii is a species of flowering plant from the family Araceae that can be found growing on rocky slopes and in the forests on the elevation of 2,400–4,000 metres (7,900–13,100 ft) in 'Afghanistan, East Asia and Himalayas. The species name refers to French botanist Victor Jacquemont.