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Typhonium trilobatum

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Typhonium trilobatum (L.) Schott

Family Name: Araceae
Synonyms: Arum trilobatum L., Arum orixense Roxburgh ex Andrews, Typhonium orixense (Andrews) Schott.
Common Name: Bengal Arum, Keladi Puyuh, 马蹄犁头尖

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Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, southern China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand & Peninsular Malaysia,
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Disturbed Area / Open Ground, Secondary Rainforest, Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is an herbaceous plant with short tuberous corms, grows up to 45cm tall.
Foliage Petiole is green or various flushes of purple, 25-40cm long. Leaves are cordate-ovate, deeply trilobed, rarely 5-lobed. The central lobe is ovate in shape, pointed leaf tip (acuminate, sometimes mucronate), measuring 10-15 × 6-11cm. While the lateral lobes are slightly smaller in size.
Flowers Flowers are spadix inflorescence. The spathe of the flower is larger than the spadix. Flowers are ovoid or ellipsoid in shape, dark purple to reddish-purple on the inside, green on the outside, measuring up to 10-20cm. The spathe convolutes (roll longitudinally inwards) at the base. It has a greenish-white barrel-shaped chamber below the spathe, red streaks are occasionally observed.
Fruit Fruits are berries, green with purple spots, turns white when mature. Fruits are ellipsoid, contains 1-2 seeds. Spathe remains intact even when it fruits.
Others - Plant Morphology Corms are produced in this plant. They are white, sub-globose to cylindrical, sizes vary between 1-5cm in diameter.
Habitat It can be found in tropical secondary forests, thickets, grasslands, and roadsides from 0 - 700 m above sea level. In Singapore, it occurs as a spontaneous weed along roadsides, in gardens and fields.
Ethnobotanical Uses Others: Locals communities in the Southeast Asia region consume corms that are sliced and dried. Leaves are used as fish food.

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water

Foliar

Foliage Retention Drought / Semi-Deciduous
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Venation Reticulate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Specialised Storage Organ(s) Underground (Corm)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Purple
Flower Grouping Solitary
Inflorescence Type Spathe & Spadix

References

References Chuakul, W., Soonthornchareonnon, N. & Ruangsomboon, O., (2003). Typhonium Schott. In: Lemmens, R.H.M.J. and Bunyapraphatsara, N. (Editors): Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 12(3): Medicinal and poisonous plants 3. PROSEA Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia.


9. Typhonium trilobatum (Linnaeus) Schott, Wiener Z. Kunst. 1829: 732. 1829. Flora of China. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200027344 (Accessed 16 Oct 2025)

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Master ID 33969
Species ID 8385
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 16 October 2025.
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