Need help with Pinellia ID

18 years ago

Hi, I'm a regular over at the Native Plants forum, but I think we have a Pinellia that popped up in our garden. I have looked at lots of pics of both P. ternata and P. tripartita, and I can't figure out how to tell the difference between them based on what I have seen. Is there an easy way to distinguish between the two? If what we have is P. ternata, I want to pull it immediately, as I have seen it referred to as "the purple loosestrife of the aroid world." P. tripartita could be safely gifted to someone! Thanks for any help, sorry I can't post a picture.

Comments (4)

kwoods
18 years ago
Try the IAS site yet?

If you can send them a pic in an email they'll also ID it for you.

Great site and a great organization. Good luck with your ID!

Here is a link that might be useful: IAS Home page.
krazyaroider
18 years ago
Hello,
I have both and ternata is shorter in height overall and the spath is shorter. Ternata has bulbils that form on the stem while I have never seen this on any of my triparitias.
Check out the Arisaema Enthusiast Group Home page and a link to a Pinellia page by Roy Herold is devoted to Pinellias with good pics.
Cheers ;-) KA
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raymikematt
18 years ago
I picked up a Pinellia at Nurseries Caroliania the day before yesterday and I think it might be P. ternata from the pics ive seen online. The mature leaf blades seem much longer and skinnier on ternata and I did notice the many...many bulbils that just fell out of the plastic pot when I was planting it.
Michael M.
jillmcm
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks all - this plant had little bulbils and long thin blades - I am going to assume it's ternata and we have pulled it. I don't want to risk any of the invasion stories I've heard!