Spathantheum Schott is a genus of the Araceae family which grows in tropical and subtropical uplands and mountain grasslands of Peru to N. Argentina.
Spathantheum orbignyanum Schott is a rare aroid from the Andes where it is found at elevations of 2000-3000 m in Bolivia and also in Peru and North-West Argentina. At these high elevations it experiences a cool dry temperate climate and providing it has excellent drainage it does very well in British gardens where its highly exotic foliage lends itself to jungle plantings in combination with other large-leaved foliage plants. The tuber is dormant in winter months. The unusual flower, a green spathe around many orange-yellow flowers having an effect reminiscent of an ear of corn partly shucked. Source: Tropical Britain.