I can’t think of too many flowers best enjoyed outside, but surely the dragon lily is one. It is darkly exotic, unique, and called by several names not nearly so flattering.
Mild interest only is roused when determined green-striped white shoots unfurl into antlers of foliage spiraling upward. But the unfurling of its striking deep purple-black spathe, which then sends upward a shimmering purple-black “jack” can be a bit chilling – but nothing to what comes next.
For you see, part of its uniqueness is the fact that it is pollinated not by bees but flies, to which end it exudes a putrid, carrion-like odor when the time is right. This is temporary, but enough to spoil a picnic if situated nearby.
I originally planted the softball-sized bulb given me by a coworker by the back door. Pollination was under way during the double graduation party we threw that year, and the kids got a kick out of tricking guests into bending down for a whiff of the phantasmagoric flowers.
I wouldn’t trade them, but I’ve learned to give them a wide berth.
– Brenna Wiegand
