woodland wildflower
Green dragon
Arisaema dracontium
Also known as Dragonroot, Greendragon
1 of 2Native to much of the USA and southern Canada
Ontario and Quebec south through New Hampshire to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Nebraska and Minnesota. Also in eastern Mexico from Nuevo Leon to Veracruz.
- Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 4–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for sun through shade and evenly moist soil. Its white flowers peak in May. At up to 3 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Green dragon's white flowers bloom April to June, peaking in May. It's a late-spring display.
Green dragon blooms white, yellow, green & brownFoliage
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (34): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (2): ON, QC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Ontario and Quebec south through New Hampshire to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Nebraska and Minnesota. Also in eastern Mexico from Nuevo Leon to Veracruz.The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9 · Canadian 5–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Rich, slightly acid, soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~2 ft (0.5 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Yellow, Green, BrownThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens May–SepThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- Poisonous if eatenWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.