Several months ago, I bought a packet of 3 seeds of this (Synandrospadix vermitoxicus) from Chiltern Seeds and when they arrived the packet hid itself amongst papers on my desk and was promptly forgotten. I was looking for a photocopy on Tuesday and found the seeds. On the packet it said "Seeds taken from cold storage. Please sow as soon as possible". I was tempted to 'sow' the packet and seeds into my waste bin, but thought about it and tossed the very wrinkled, berry-like seeds into a jar of tepid water instead.
The next day I cleaned off the seed/berry coating and changed the water. I went to change the water this morning and 2 of the 3 seeds are sprouting. It sort of makes sense, because the species naturally inhabits regions where there is a prolonged dry period so it's fair to assume that most seeds lie waiting for the rains before germinating. It forms a massive, football sized tuber up to 60cms. down so I suppose the plants will need a deep pot as they develop. For now, they have been transferred to thumb pots containing sterilised compost.
Synandrospadix is quite a striking aroid with large, leathery, skunk-cabbage like leaves and typically foul-smelling, sinister flower spathes that are brownish green heavily marked and flecked purplish red surrounding a prominent red spadix. It's not altogether 'my cup of tea', but since I have Amorphophallus konjac and Typhonium venosum popping up all over the place, I thought this might be an interesting addition. The crumbled mudstone that masquerades as soil here should suit mature plants quite well.
I still haven't found that photocopy, but have just found a packet of x Pardancanda Norrisii seeds. I'd better get another jar on the go
