This tuberous perennial is displaying its architectural form in the Mountains House.
This monotypical genus i.e. the only species in the genus, takes its name from the Greek syn meaning together, andros (male), and spadix (fleshy stem bearing many small flowers), while the epithet refers to a traditional use of this plant as an insecticide, and means toxic to worms. Synandrospadix vermitoxicum is a member of the Araceae (arum family) from South American where it grows in open scrubland and roadside verges. It is winter dormant, and in spring produces glossy leaves and a darkly coloured, striated outer spathe which shrouds an erect deep maroon spadix comprising many flowers whose anthers produce darkly coloured pollen. As many members of the arum family it emits a foetid scent to attract pollinators.