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Starch Root Arum maculatum

Previously known as:

  • Arisarum maculatum
Phonetic Spelling
AIR-um mak-yoo-LAY-tum
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Arum lily is a shade-loving herbaceous perennial and a member of the Araceae family. It was cultivated as an ornamental plant. This plant spreads quickly by self-seeding. It has deep-rooted tubers that multiply each year and are difficult to remove. All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans and animals. The plant can cause skin irritation and illness. The fruits are harmless to birds. They eat the berries and disperse the seeds. 

Wild Arum is native of Europe to West Turkey and the West Caucasus. They are found in woodlands and along rivers and streams. 

The genus name, Arum, is Greek and means "poisonous." Wild Arum has many other common names that reference the plant's appearance.

The plant grows in the shade and prefers moist well-drained soils. The plant's mature size is 12-18 inches tall and 6-9 inches wide. They flower in the spring and produce bright orangish-red berries in the fall. They are propagated by seeds and by the division of the tubers.

The leaves are arrow-shaped, glossy, mid to deep green with purplish-black blotches. The hood-like flowers appear in April and May. The flower has a deep purple to pale yellow central spadix and is surrounded by a pale green spathe  The interior of the spathe is greenish-white with a purple band. The fruit is a cylinder-like cluster of orangish-red berries. The berries remain after the spathe and leaves have withered away. 

The plant contains calcium oxalates. If ingested, it will cause throat and tongue swelling that results in difficulty breathing or possible death. Be sure to wear protective clothing and gloves when handling this plant to prevent skin irritation. 

The Arum Lily is pollinated by insects that are attracted to the odor of the flowers.

The Arum Lily may be used as an ornamental in shade gardens, borders, and woodlands. When considering this plant, remember that it is poisonous to humans and pets. It will also spread quickly and is very difficult to remove.

Quick ID Hints:

  • tuberous root system
  • arrow-shaped, mid to deep green, glossy leaves with purplish-black blotches
  • the flowers have an erect deep purple to a pale yellow spadix
  • the spadix is surrounded by a pale green spathe with a greenish-white interior with a purple band
  • the flower has an odor
  • cylinder-like spike of orangish-red berries

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems:  The plant is very difficult to control. Manual removal may be difficult. When removed, all parts of the plant should be disposed of in the trash.  Avoid placing the plant in the compost bin. Wear protective clothing and gloves when handling this plant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#shade garden#spadix#spathe#red fruits#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis#poisonous if ingested#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#shade garden#spadix#spathe#red fruits#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis#poisonous if ingested#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Arum
    Species:
    maculatum
    Family:
    Araceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The plant root was used to make laundry starch.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to North Turkey and West Caucasus
    Distribution:
    Native: Albania, Austria Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Ukraine, and Yugoslavia; Introduced: Denmark
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds eat the seeds. Pollinated by flies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Shade
    Edibility:
    The root is edible when roasted. It is very toxic if not correctly prepared.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    After the flowers fade and the leaves wither, the fruits develop. The fruit is an oblong cylinder and measures 1 to 2 inches tall and 0.5 inches wide. The cylinder has a cluster of orangish-red berries.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers bloom in April and May. The flower has a central, erect, deep purple to pale yellow spadix that measures 1 to 3.5 inches tall and about 0.25 inches wide. The spadix is surrounded by a pale to mid-green spathe. The interior spathe is greenish-white with a narrow purple band around the middle of the spathe. The spathe measure about 2.5 to 11 inches tall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Obtuse
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are large arrow-shaped, mid to deep green with purplish-black patches. The leaves measure 3 to 11 inches tall and 1 to 7.5 inches wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    All raw parts of this plant may cause mucous membrane irritation, burning, throat swelling, difficulty breathing, and possible death. Other symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, cramping, excessive drooling, and vomiting.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Calcium oxalate crystals and soluble oxalates
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems