Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Konjak, Devil's tongue, Snake palm, Umbrella arum, 蒟蒻/菎蒻 konnyaku, 花蘑芋 hua mo yu

Family: Araceae (Arum family)

Distribution: Indonesia to Japan

Life form: Perennial

Comments: The species originates in China (Yunnan), but is often cultivated in the tropics, from Japan to Indonesia. The edible tuber is grounded into a flour, rich in starch. Mainly in Japan it is used to make yam cakes and noodles. The tuber also contains a sugar, mannose. Only when the tuber is large enough, it produces an inflorescence, with a penetrating odour, in order to attract its pollinating insects.