Arum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AH-rum
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This genus is a group of around 32 herbaceous tubular flowering plants that are native to Europe, Africa and Asia. They can vary in size from 1-2 feet tall. The genus name comes from the Greek word ‘aron’, meaning ‘climbing’ or ‘poisonous plant’
Flowers consist of a spathe that surrounds the spadix and is followed by clusters of round berries in reds and oranges. Many are used as ground cover in shady areas. In some of the Pacific west of the USA, some varieties have escaped gardens and become invasive. The leaves of several species are variegated and showy. They will wait to appear in the fall and grow during the winter in warmer winter areas. Flowers will appear in spring before the plant goes dormant.
Arum lilies prefer well-drained moist soil in part sun to part shade but tolerate a wide range of soils. They are easy to grow and deer-resistant. Grow as a ground cover for a winter garden along a woodland area.
Additional Arum images at Juniper Level Botanical Gardens
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Arum
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia, Europe, Africa
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Clusters of berries form from pollinated flowers
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- An arrow-shaped spathe surrounds the spadix. Flowers vary in size and color
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are green to variegated, arrow-shaped and 4-12 inches long
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- All parts of the plant are poisonous. The sap can cause dermatitis. Ingestion can cause irritation, burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, breathing difficulties, severe nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, diarrhea shock and exhaustion, death.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- calcium oxalate crystals
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
