Indian cobra lily, muktaphala

[dendro]

I recently came across a mention of this plant muktaphala, or Indian cobra lily. The USA cobra lily is a carnivorous plant, not related to muktaphala.

Arisaema utile is from Sikkim and Nepal. It is reputed to be strongly psychoactive, and popular in Nepal. Cobra lily makes a cob-like cluster of red berries, I assume the berries are the preferred psychoactive. Christian Ratsch mentioned this plant in his recent book on Himalayan shamanism.

It is related to Jack in the Pulpit in NA.

There are many species of arisaema, some found in NA today. Likes higher elevations and cooler weather. I don't know the phytochemistry, or what the psychoactive principle or action is. But it could be found in many of the Arisaema species. Muktaphala means "liberation fruit" in old Indian.  :tea:  :smoke2:

Any one know more?

[laughingwillow]

Jack in the Pulpit sounds familiar.

Is it possible that one has been pointed out to me here on the prairie? (Or in the woods, from what I remember.)

just found this tidbit on wiki. The Meskwaki ended up settling in central Iowa. Their settlement isn't a reservation, as they purchased their own land. Not sure if the story below is true, but its at least interesting.

History and folklore
One account from the Meskwaki Indians states that they would chop the herb's corm and mix it with meat and leave the meat out for their enemies to find. The taste of the oxalate would not be detectable because of the flavored meat, but consuming the meat reportedly caused their enemies pain and death. They also used it to determine the fate of the sick by dropping a seed in a cup of stirred water; If the seed went around four times clockwise, the patient would recover, if it went around less than four times they would not.[1]

lw

[dogbane26]

Calcium oxalates are very prevalent in the family Araceae.

Dumbcane which is a common house plant is well known for causing poisoning if eaten by a child or a pet.  

Taro leaves/ elephants ear has to be cooked in boiling water first before the leaves are edible.

[dendro]

thanks for the info LW and dogbane.

NB, I am not recommending that people start consuming these species of Arisaema!!! Always be very cautious when considering ingesting any plants!!

Yes oxalates are bad news (I grow and consume taro, well cooked only). Which is why I postulate that only the ripe berries of Indian cobra lily might be the possible psychoactive portion, as this plant is mentioned as popular for psychoactive purposes in Nepal. The ripe berries could well be oxalate free.