Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius), a striking aroid from tropical Asia, is extensively cultivated for its edible tubers. 

To display the landscape of blooming Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, a section was specially designated for cultivating the elephant foot yam or whitespot giant arum at the Distinctive Plant Collection of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG). 

In middle May, tens of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius come to bloom, presenting a special landscape in XTBG. The Distinctive Plant Collection is the best place to enjoy the blossoming aroid. 

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is an herbaceous perennial tuber crop distributed widely in many Asian countries. It is an underground, unbranched plant with large stout mottled leaves. 

The plant blooms annually around the beginning of the rainy season. The flower bud emerges from the corm as a purple shoot, and later blooms as a purple inflorescence.  The flowers are very large, but they open right above the ground. The top of the spadix is bulbous and wrinkled, sometimes even resembling a brain. 

Come and enjoy this special aroid plant in XTBG! 

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius in full bloom at XTBG