Greek lysis – releasing, chiton – coat, referring to the spathe which is shed.
Stemless clump-forming perennials with thick rhizomes. Leaves short stalked, sheathless, appearing with the flowers. Inflorescence appearing before the leaves. Spathe showy, stalked. Spadix longer than spathe and with a long stalk. Flowers bisexual, perianth 4-parted. Ovary 2-chambered. Fruit a berry slightly embedded in the spadix. Flower parts are unpleasant smelling when bruised.
Grown in swampy areas and ponds for the attractive foliage and flowers.
2 marsh species from NE Asia and NW America.
Division or occasionally by seed.
Used locally for medicinal purposes and also eaten.
Marsh plant; spadix stalk several times longer than the spadix; spathe well developed and reaching the fertile region of the spadix.
Source: (2005). Araceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.