Species at Risk at Hullett

Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium) "Dragon Root"

The Green Dragon is a perennial plant found in rich woods and streambanks (but also in some dry soils), particularly in Maple forests dominated by Red Ash and White Elm. It is listed as a species of 'Special Concern' by both COSEWIC and COSSARO. It is threatened or even endangered in several US states. (Endangered in New Hampshire, threatened in Vermont and Massachusetts, and a special concern species in New York state)

The Green Dragon blooms in May and June and is found on only about 50 sites in Ontario. It is at the northern limit of its range and was never really common here. It was, however, more widespread, declining in part as forested regions were cleared. It grows from a corm (an enlarged root, or a swollen fleshy base of a stem) which is clustered. The spadix (a club-shaped stalk on which there are crowded tiny blossoms) is 4-8 inches in length with a narrowly pointed spathe, (a hooded or leaf-like sheath enfolding the spadix) being far exceeded in length by the spadix. The spathe is greenish or whitish and is long and leaf-like. It enwraps the spadix. Leaves are arranged in a semicircle at the top of the plant and are divided into 5-15 pointed segments that are usually solitary.

The flower is greenish-yellow, typical of an Arum lily (of which family the Green Dragon is a member). It has a fleshy sheath with a long, protruding "dragons tongue". Berries are reddish-orange and are found in large, ovoid heads. The root is bitter to the taste and poisonous unless specially prepared. It (the root) has been used medicinally by aboriginal people and early European settlers.

The Green Dragon has no formal protection in Ontario.

top - the Green Dragon, bottom - leaf closeup, fruit, and dragon's 'tongue'