MANILA, Philippines – Typhononodorum lindleyanum is a handsome tree-like aroid that can grow 3 to 4 meters high. It looks like a composite of giant Alocasia, tall banana-like trunk in fatigue mottled design with giant white Spathiphyllum flowers. Inflorescence may be more than a meter tall if plants are grown big.
The plant is very architectural and is usually used in wide water features in linear manner. Clusters are also popular in smaller architectural designs. It is chosen by top landscape designers because it does not overgrow the design for many years.
The plant grows well under full sun in paddy clay just above ground or roots submerged in water and is one of the few plants that can survive water logged conditions. It is popular as container-grown plant in Thailand and Indonesia where one-year old plants fetches an equivalent of P8 to P10,000 each.
Philippines is the main source of planting materials of Typhonodorum. All Typhonodorums in Thailand and Indonesia came from the Philippines. The plant is native of Madagascar and Zanzibar.