Yellow Cobra Lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Yellow Cobra Lily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dochafa flava
• Arum flavum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Alismatales and the family Araceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Arisaema, specifically identified as the species Arisaema flavum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Ethiopia and Somalia. Moving toward Western Asia, the species can also be found within the borders of Afghanistan. Its range extends into the Arabian Peninsula, specifically occurring in Oman. Finally, the distribution includes the territory of Saudi Arabia within the same peninsula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Arisaema flavum is characterized by its preference for high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical distribution. This species is typically found occupying a specialized niche across a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from a minimum elevation of 1800 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 4400 m AMSL. Within this broad range, the plant adapts to varying environmental pressures associated with increasing altitude, such as fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability. Its presence in these subalpine and alpine zones suggests an ecological resilience to the cooler, more variable climatic conditions typical of high-elevation ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Arisaema flavum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its habitat over many successive growing seasons. As a geophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by storing nutrients in specialized underground structures, which enables it to emerge annually when conditions become favorable. This survival strategy is further supported by its classification as a cryptophyte, meaning its vital regenerative organs are located completely below the soil surface, protecting the plant from seasonal extremes and ensuring its long-term persistence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Arisaema flavum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, lacking any woody tissue in its structure. This plant functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit any parasitic behavior, and it is strictly terrestrial in its ecological niche rather than being an epiphyte. Regarding its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant; while it does not possess the climbing mechanisms of a liana or vine, it maintains its own upright posture without requiring external support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ariosaema flavum is characterized by a specific seasonal window for its flowering period. The reproductive cycle reaches its peak during the month of July, which serves as both the flowering start and the flowering end for this species. This concentrated phenological period indicates a highly synchronized blooming pattern, occurring specifically within the month of July.

Flowering time :

Jul

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Arisaema flavum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester.

hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Arisaema flavum has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, scorpion stings, snake bites.

Cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Scorpion stings

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Snake bites

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Arisaema flavum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude extracts.

Crude extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine