Ambrosinia bassii

(aka: Arisarum potamogeti) In the "how weird can you go" category, we are pleased to share the little-known monotypic aroid, Ambrosinia bassii. This miniature oddity from the Mediterranean, prefers to hang out in woodlands, growing in humus over the top of limestone rocks. In growth, the thumb-size green leaves form a 3" tall, rock garden-sized clump that resembles a miniature hosta. The odd flower that sits atop the foliage looks like a miniature, fuzzy, purple-striped bong, designed with two gender specific interior rooms, one for the female parts, and another for the male parts. Hell, it's no wonder that seed are scarce. Flowering for us is typically in early November. Bassi's ambrosinia is most closely related to the mouse plant of the genus, Arisarum. In the ground, this is not an easy plant to grow, although it been much easier as a container specimen. It is best reserved for obsessive gardeners. The BB-sized tubers prefer to be slightly dry when summer dormant, but never to the point of desiccation.