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Griffith’s Cobra Lily;
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Arisaema griffithii is a variable species and particularly in the Yumthang valley many brown forms grow side by side with the more typical griffithii. Travelling further up the valley beyond the hot spring towards Yumesodong & zero point the plants get smaller, the spathes get more narrow and the appendices thicker and more contracted until they morph into forms close to Arisaema elephas. 
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The purple-brown forms of griffithii are sometimes identified as Arisaema utile (of cultivation) but that is incorrect, in my view that name is a full synonym of griffithii. The holotype of utile was collected from near Lachen and is a different form of griffithii with a longer peduncle.
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This is a narrow spathed variant of the griffithii alliance. With some variants it is difficult to assess whether they are still forms of griffithii with a narrow spathe or big forms of propinquum with a wider spathe as they seem part of a continuous variational range going from one extreme (griffithii) to the other (propinquum). I have studied this group in the Yumthang Valley and the variation is endless, particularly at the higher elevations and forms like this ultimately morph into elephas type plants. Due to this it is impossible to attach a definitive name to many plants from this valley other than that they belong to the “griffithii” group. 
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The same variational patterns for griffithii and allies occurs in the Shingallila National Park and several places in Nepal.
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Identification of Arisaema – regarding. (mixed thread) : 2 correct Attachments. 3 posts by 3 authors.
Let me introduce myself. I am a nature photographer from West Bengal ( India). During my visit to Sikkim and Singalila Forest (mainly through Darjeeling District of West Bengal) I had photographed some different Cobra Lilies (Arisaema) which I failed to identify.
Now, I am sending the photographs for your valuable comments.
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Photographs : 3A & 3B : Photographed in Singalila Forest (near Gairibas). Could not found in full blooming condition. Altitude : 9,000 ft. Blooming Time – April. Are they Arisaema griffithii ? Kindly confirm.
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……………….. 1 to 3 appears to be what you have stated as per this book. Others may like to give their views.


I recentlty joined and saw this old thread. I can give some ID’s which could help for future reference if you still need them: ……………………….
3 A & B = Arisaema griffithii, this is the lowland form originally described as Arisaema hookeri/hookerianum ……………………



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Arisaema griffithii :  Attachments (3).  6 posts by 5 authors.
Validate Please
Arisaema griffithii
At Yumthang valley, Sikkim
21May,2013

That is indeed the correct ID. 
Arisaema griffithii is a variable species and particularly in the Yumthang valley many brown forms grow side by side with the more typical griffithii. Travelling further up the valley beyond the hot spring towards Yumesodong & zero point the plants get smaller, the spathes get more narrow and the appendices thicker and more contracted until they morph into forms close to Arisaema elephas. 
The purple-brown forms of griffithii are sometimes identified as Arisaema utile (of cultivation) but that is incorrect, in my view that name is a full synonym of griffithii. The holotype of utile was collected from near Lachen and is a different form of griffithii with a longer peduncle.



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SK1923 17 May 2019 : 3 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (7)- around 800 kb each.
Location: Phulchoki, Lalitpur, Nepal
Altitude: 2536 m.
Date: 8 May 2019
Habit : Wild
Arisaema griffithii Schott ?

To me also appears closer to images at Arisaema griffithii Schott 


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Arisaema griffithii Schott: 6 high res. images.

Location: Tilachan , Baglung, Nepal 
Date: 31 May 2023
Elevation: 3100 m.

Habit : Wild


Nepali Name : ढोकायो साग Dhkaayo Saag


Also appears close to images at
https://efloraofindia.com/2011/02/07/arisaema-propinquum/

Pl. check.


Yes …! Both look similar but the only difference is the patches on the stem(Stalk).

https://groups.google.com/g/indiantreepix/c/AwAJ

Let us wait for the opinion from Dr. Bruggeman.


There is often confusion between propinquum and griffithii. Are the narrow forms of griffthii perhaps propinquum or not etc… The stem markings are of less concern in this discussion however. Looking at the description of propinquum and the plants still growing at the type locality the ones closest to propinquum have a narrow spathe, often flower before the leaves are fully unfurled and have a short appendix like this:

Arisaema propinquum

My personal view is that most of the narrower forms of griffithii still fall in the griffithii complex and are not true propinquum.  The one … is showing I would call griffithii. Which means the “typical” griffithii we see as this species is just the broad variant within the wide variation of the group. I have studied large groups of this complex in Nepal and Sikkim and quite often the variation in peduncle length, width of the spathe, length of the appendix and even color and pattern is quite large. Anyone familiar with the populations in N Sikkim around Lachung have seen that the higher into the valley one goes, the smaller the plants get and the narrower the spathes. I am aware it is a highly personal solution to the wide variation in this group that does conflict with some of the literature, but it is impossible in my view to artifically limit the names based on the width of the spathe or any other character that varies within populations. Instead I prefer to limit the name propinquum to a specific character combination in the form I just show and all other forms in the variation of what I artificially call the griffithii complex. In my view there are only 2 other nodes in the variation that can be identified by a specific set of characters: the rare vexillatum and ostiolatum (Shingallila Rodge).


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