Konjac Amorphophallus konjac
It was not planned, but happened anyway – the Konjac came in to flower. The corm has rested dry in a cupboard since autumn. 3 weeks ago the bud started growing, very rapidly. Yesterday the flower opened and took on the deep red colour. When I returned after work, I had to cut the flower immediately, and carry it out door into the snow. It has a penetrating odour like decaying flesh, probably perfect to attract the flyes needed for pollination in it’s native habitat.
I’m impressed, that a flower can grow this rapidly from a corm, given no soil or water. All its nourishment and liquid was stored in the corm.
The corm
The corm is huge. In Japan they cook a delicacy, konnyaku, from it. It’s a kind of jelly, supposed to be healthy and a joy to eat. It’s also employed by the European food industry. It is labelled E 425. See if you can find it in the supermarket!
The flower I cut from the corm. I placed it in the snow in front of the kitchen window, and brought the corm inside the house again. The rest of the stem on top of the corm will soon wither away, and after a few months I can expect a single large leaf, shaped like a palm. I grow the Konjac for the beautiful leaf.
Last time I had a Konjac in flower was in 2008.
In the toad's garden 
February 6, 2010 at 18:58
It used to be a food additive in the EU, I think it’s now banned…
http://www.foodnavigator.com/Legislation/EU-votes-for-permanent-E425-ban-in-jelly-confectionery
It’s at least banned in this kind of candy.
It’s a pretty flower. It’s too bad it doesn’t smell nice.
February 7, 2010 at 08:47
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February 7, 2010 at 19:42
Thanks for commenting.
It’s banned for jellycups, but still legal for other uses.
http://www.foodnavigator.com/Legislation/Changes-to-food-additive-rules-in-EU-on-the-table
To put it short, konjac (E 425) is healthy, unless it gets stuck in your throat. It’s the same for peanuts, they are also highly dangerous for children, who are at risk of inhaling them.
When I have shown a konjac corm to people from Japan, they get enthusiastic about it.
But I’m not ready yet to cook it myself.
February 16, 2010 at 15:11
I have never heard of this plant but like you, I think it’s pretty amazing what this plant can produce from it’s little life support system.
February 16, 2010 at 20:12
Yeah – it seems impossible. I really don’t understand how it’s possible. But of course, somebody can give the true explanation. But would I be able to understand it??
I’ve had it growing in my house, but it still seem like it should be an optical illusion – but it isn’t!