Amorphophallus dactylifer season in Laguna is peaking now

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Amorphophallus dactylifer, a rather widespread Philippine species, is now creating quite a display again. And fortunately, this is one of the more ubiquitous species to be found in my home province of Laguna although unlike, A. paeoniifolius, it's not as weedy and not found in cultivated areas. Contrary to what most would think, these aren't flowers, but inflorescences. The real flowers are much simplified in form, tiny, and hidden in two separate zones inside the vase-like spathe. The tallest inflorescence observed was a tad taller than 6 feet. Since all the examples shown here were found in the morning and noon, none were exchanged in the stinkfest that the species is also known for. Rather, the odor within the spathe is actually sweetish.

 
Many were found in quite dense shade; I frequently see the vegetative versions in dark situations flopping to their sides from yearning for some sun.



Now here's an interesting one. The developing inflorescences are typically lighter-colored at this stage, but this one's quite atypical in being a solid pale yellow color, without any hint of markings from other colors. The peduncle is gray with white spots instead of being greenish. I reckon that the structure would be fully operational by the first week of June- which is another way of saying that I will need to go back quite soon! 😁


Elsewhere were many, many other specimens in varying stages of development. So numerous is A. dactylifer here that it would not be a stretch to think that there's an unfurling spathe every day, somewhere.


Amorphophallus dactylifer is one of the more popular species for growers of this extraordinary genus. I have some myself, which I have been propagating for a few years now, but the plants can be quite temperamental. Seeing fields of these plants in the wild, doing what they do best, is nothing short of exhilarating and a welcome change from some of my more prima donna-ish wards.




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