Hi Susan, I've heard of Brent & Becky's, they have a good reputation. I've been all over their site, can't find the rivieri. (Oops....drooling all over my keyboard) Am I just intelligence impaired this morning?

To see "riveri" try the link. Anyone order from them, before? (haven't tried gardenwatchdog, yet)

Here is a link that might be useful: Amorphophallus Riveri

Bonnie - it was in their 2005 summer catalog www.bbbulbs.com, click on 2005 summer catalog that is now offline, but will be available in February 2006.

Susan

Bonnie, in the picture you post, it says it is also called A. konjac. I am telling you, these aroid names are confusing when one person calls them something else. Go figure.

Susan

I've ordered from Brent and Becky a number of times, and have been very pleased. Had one small problem with this year's order, with one not-an-aroid blooming not true to what it should have been, and got a postcard a couple days ago saying they were shocked to discover one of the bulbs they had planted from that batch wasn't blooming right, and if that happened to me they would refund or replace. I've heard of places refunding or replacing if YOU tell them of a problem, but I can't recall anyone telling ME I might have a problem and to let them know. I was already pleased with them, but now I'm really impressed. And as for the A. rivieri/konjac problem, that's because it was renamed fairly recently, and many places still call it by the old name so people look for it by that name. It's very hard for names to catch up in the trade, in every plant family I can think of (maybe not irises!) I should say also I got a number of aroids from them this spring--can't remember off the top of my head just which--and they were all very healthy and good sized, and I thought the prices were quite reasonable.

Thanks for the info, GreenElbows, I had no clue it was called that previously. I do know about the nomenclature folks, though. It's like our Oklahoma weather. If you stay around for 5 minutes, it'll change.

Yes, B&B has a good, ethical reputation, not only for aroids (which I didn't even know they sold), but for their lilies and other bulbs.

Susan

I've bought from Brent and Becky's several times and have always been VERY please with their service and their bulbs! I usually buy lilies, but have bought some aroids from them also. They usually send me extra lilies to test for them and let me tell you, that is fun!
Vickie

Some nonsensical trivia-
The epithet, konjac(from conj, Amorphophallus tuber), predates(1858) the synonyms: rivieri(1869) and mairei(1914), so, according to the nomenclature police, it would be the correct accepted name for this species. It is one of a dozen or so Amorphophallus species cultivated in China, Japan and tropical Asia as an economic crop, as a food or medicinal source for humans and farm animals. Konjac(or conj) tubers are rich in protein and anima acids and a flour, called konnyaku, made from them, is used in many dietary products. Some edible species of Amorphophallus(and other Aroids) can be obtained at local ethnic food markets in locations where there is a sizeable Asian population.
Sorry, I don't have a cross reference of botanical vs ethnic common names. Maybe someone will post a few.
Rb

So, you mean I might be able to find a tuber at my local Asian Market down the street? I know you can get a lot of colocasia tubers for cheap, like taro (black EE), and Illustris (it has a rather royal name that I don't recall right now). Also tacca (not an aroid, but beautiful flowers - an annual here).

Susan