Product Description

Arisaema is a large genus within the Arum family, consisting of about 200 species, subspecies, and varieties distributed widely around the globe. They are remarkable for their exotic-looking inflorescences-which inspired the common name of cobra lily-and for the fact that they can change sex from year to year. The Genus Arisaema (2002) was the first comprehensive study of the genus since 1920, and indeed the first ever in the English language. This second revised and updated edition includes more than 10 new species described since 2002, along with recent developments in taxonomy, geographical distribution of species, revised tables for keying species, and many new photographs.Coverage for each species (arranged by section) includes detailed descriptions of the subterranean stem, shoot, leaf, inflorescence, and fruiting spike, with notes on the flowering period, distribution, and habitat. Fabulous color photographs, many of plants in their natural habitat, are supplemented by color illustrations that clearly identify species. There are chapters on arisaemas in the wild and in cultivation, and on propagation, and cultivation notes are provided for each section.This new edition is the only comprehensive, up-to-date book on the genus Arisaema, and will be welcomed by botanists, plant collectors, arisaema aficionados, and gardeners.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #65430 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 474 pages

About the Author
Guy Gusman received his Ph.D. in Sciences from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, where he is presently co-director of the Biomedical Physics Laboratory and teaches Physics at the Faculty of Medicine. In addition to publishing many articles in solid state physics, he has always been interested in botany and has contributed many papers on the taxonomy of the genus Arisaema.

Liliane Gusman received her bachelor of science degree from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, and she has taught several physics courses in Brussels. She has a particular interest in science teaching and is co-author of many publications in this field.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The first time we met an Arisaema was in 1988, when we were walking in a beautiful forest, on the Japanese island of Miyajima. We took a cableway to visit a Buddhist temple on the top of the hills and, while going down by foot, were attracted by some puzzling plants. It was in July and no flower was present, only leaves whose shape seemed very strange to us. We were accustomed to rhododendrons, primulas and tricyrtis; we had just encountered our first arisaemas. Later, we learned from Ohwi’s flora that these were Arisaema tosaense. Of course, this encounter was not the last.

We visited Japan many more times, and also Himalayan countries. There we had a second encounter. It happened in December, in Bhutan, where we had joined a small group for a trek in the east of the country. The trip began very well, the first few days being sunny. But suddenly we were snowed up and had to go back in less agreeable conditions. At the end of the day, we eventually decided to stop near a farm. It was already night and we had to grope our way towards the tents. The next morning, while going out, we discovered we had slept just in front of a superb, red, fruiting spike of what we were later to discover was Arisaema concinnum.

Since then, encounters with arisaemas have been rather frequent. Attracted at the same time by these eye-catching plants and their countries of origin, we were intent on building up a collection of them in our garden.

Customer Reviews

The Genus Arisaema, 2nd Edition
The 2nd edition is a markedly improved and extended update of the ground-breaking original. New information,new pictures. The accurate line-drawings for recognizing species by leaf-type have been preserved.

A Great Guide
This book is a must have book for any botanic garden library. The amount of information is unbelievable and very easy to follow. There are sections on growing, propagating, hardiness and more. Everything you need to know to grow these plants.
The Gusman's describe each plant wonderfully, although I wish a hint of hardiness was included in the descriptions so I could start making a list of some for my garden. There are tons of photos that are so beautiful and so well taken that it will make you want to dive right into this strange group of plants.

The Genus Arisaema
Fine organization and descriptions of the species in the genus. Not so complex that a beginner can't follow. It is necessary to keep referring to the definations. since the details are important. I'm pleased to add this book to the one on Aroids by Demi Brown.