: The plant is "thermogenic," meaning it generates heat and emits a foul, dung-like odor to attract flies (specifically Psychoda phalaenoides ) for pollination.
: Grows from an underground tuber or rhizome, which can be found as deep as 400mm below ground in mature specimens. Ecological & Biological Behavior
: It is frequently mistaken for wild garlic (Ramsons) or sorrel . Unlike garlic, Arum leaves have a "border vein" running just inside the edge and do not smell like onions when crushed. Traditional and Modern Uses arum maculatum
: In Britain, the roasted and ground roots were historically used to produce "Portland Sago," a starch substitute, as heat can neutralize some toxins.
: Following the flower, the plant produces a spike of berries that transition from green to a striking bright orange-red by late summer. : The plant is "thermogenic," meaning it generates
: All parts of the plant are highly poisonous . Contact with skin can cause irritation, while ingestion leads to severe mouth swelling, difficulty breathing, and stomach pain.
: Large, glossy, and arrow-shaped (3–11 inches long). They often feature distinctive dark purplish-black spots —the basis of its scientific name maculatum —though these spots are not always present. Unlike garlic, Arum leaves have a "border vein"
: Ethnobotanical records from places like Bulgaria and Turkey mention its use for treating hemorrhoids and purulent infections, though WebMD warns there is no scientific evidence to support these uses and the plant is likely unsafe.