Definition

Noun: 1. A tropical plant: A foul-smelling, somewhat fleshy tropical plant (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, formerly Amorphophallus campanulatus) native to southeastern Asia. It is cultivated for its edible corms (underground stems) or grown in greenhouses for its large, showy foliage and distinctive flower structure, which consists of a dark red spathe surrounding a large spadix.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The botanical garden's greenhouse features a rare snake palm, known for its enormous single leaf and pungent inflorescence.
  • In some parts of Asia, the corm of the snake palm is harvested and processed as a food source.
  • When the snake palm blooms, it emits a strong odor to attract its pollinating insects.

Advanced Usage

• Horticultural Context: The term is used by botanists, horticulturists, and gardening enthusiasts to refer specifically to this species within the arum family (Araceae). It is often noted for its thermogenic (heat-producing) and odor-producing properties during flowering.
• Descriptive Use: The name "snake palm" is descriptive, likely referring to the patterned or textured appearance of the plant's stem or petiole, which may resemble snake skin, and its palmate (hand-shaped) leaf.

Variants and Related Words

• Elephant Foot Yam: A more common name for the same plant (), referring to the large, tuberous corm.
• Corpse Flower: A general common name for several species, including the titan arum (), alluding to the foul smell of their blooms. "Snake palm" is a smaller relative.
• Voodoo Lily: Another common name for various species, sometimes used interchangeably.

Synonyms

• Elephant foot yam
• (scientific name)
• Whitespot giant arum

Related Terms

• Corm: The thick, underground plant stem that serves as a storage organ and is the edible part of the snake palm.
• Spathe: The large, often colorful bract (modified leaf) that surrounds the spadix.
• Spadix: The fleshy central spike on which the plant's tiny flowers are clustered.
• Inflorescence: The complete flower head of a plant, including the spathe and spadix in this case.

Noun

1. foul-smelling somewhat fleshy tropical plant of southeastern Asia cultivated for its edible corms or in the greenhouse for its large leaves and showy dark red spathe surrounding a large spadix