Another stoloniferous species

[Roy Herold]

At 5:32 PM -0500 12/22/98, Jim McClements, Dover, DE z6 is rumored to have
typed:
>
> I know that the whole robustum/japonicum/serratum taxonomy is a bit confused
> (at least in my brain!), but has anyone seen stoloniferous forms of robustum?

Wait a minute-- I thought robustum was a synonym for amurense.....

If yours is an amurense type, I can confirm that the amurense I grow is
most certainly of the short-stoloniferous persuasion. A mature tuber will
produce a bunch of new 'offsets' that are a couple of inches long. By fall
they tend to separate from the main tuber, and grow on their own the next
season.

This brings into question (at least for me) what is an offset and what is a
stolon. In my mind there are two distinct types of non-stoloniferous
offsets:

1. The candidissimum/fargesii type, where a knob forms on the side of the
tuber, and eventually separates into a separate entity. The plane of
separation is distinctly vertical. The offsets can range from 1/2" to 2" in
diameter, depending on growing conditions.

2. The lobatum/taiwanense/thunbergii type, where new miniature tubers form
on the top surface. The plane of separation is horizontal, and the new
tubers are fairly small (<1/2").

These 'short-stoloniferous' types seem to be an extension of #2.
Triphyllum is another one in this category, I'd say, but it can be
variable. I think Ellen noted she has one that is a runner...

Then there are the 'long-stoloniferous' types. My prime example is another
Carol Fyler unknown-- radiate leaves, probably ciliatum or concinnum-- that
has stolons up to a foot long. No flower yet for me-- it seems to expend
all of it's energy into making those stolons.

Can't recall many other examples right now-- I'm being brave (or foolhardy)
this winter and have left most of my arisaemas in the ground to see how
they fare. Should be down to 10F tonight-- ouch.

--Roy Herold
N. Reading, MA