Prefers a cool peaty soil in the bog, woodland garden or a sheltered border in semi-shade. Prefers a loamy or peaty soil and will tolerate a sunny position if the soil is moist but not water-logged and the position is not too exposed. This species is well suited to the front of a peat border. Tubers should be planted about 15cm deep. Only plant out full sized tubers and mulch them with organic matter in the winter. Plants require protection from slugs. Most species in this genus are dioecious, but they are sometimes monoecious and can also change sex from year to year.

Well-soaked roots can be boiled, peeled and eaten. The tuber is 6 - 7cm in diameter. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves - cooked. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame. Stored seed remains viable for at least a year and can be sown in spring in the greenhouse but it will probably require a period of cold stratification. Germination usually takes place in 1 - 6 months at 15°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least a coupe of years until the corms are more than 20mm in diameter. Plant out into their permanent positions whilst they are dormant. Division of tubers when the plant dies down in late summer.

Virgin forests, mountains and river banks. Deciduous forest, mixed forest, under woods and by streams at elevations of 50 - 200 metres in China.