Arum maculatum
lords-and-ladies
A compact tuberous perennial to about 45cm with arrow-shaped shiny green leaves often with black spots. Variable pale green to purple flushed spathes appear in late spring, followed by spikes bearing orange-red berries in the autumn. Foliage dies down by midsummer
Other common names
AaronAdam and Eve
see moreadder's meat
adder's root
arrowroot
bloody man's finger
bobbin' Joan
bobbing Jane
bobbins
boys and girls
brown dragons
bulls and cows
calf's foot
cobbler's thumb
cocky baby
cuckoo pint
devil's ladies and gentlemen
devil's men and women
English passion flower
friar's cowl
Gethsemane
jack-in-a-box
jack-in-the-pulpit
Kitty-come-down-the-lane
lamb in a pulpit
lily grass
mandrake
naked ladies
nightingales
parson and clerk
parson in the pulpit
Portland arrowroot
Portland sago plant
Portland starchroot
priest's pintle
rampe
snake's victuals
starch flower
starch plant
wake-robin
pidyn y gog
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Araceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Arum are tuberous perennials with simple, arrow-head shaped leaves and tiny flowers hidden, at the base of a yellow or purple, club-shaped spadix, within a showy, hood-like spathe, and followed by red berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained humus-rich soil and plant 10 to 15cm deep in light shade. Self-seeding may be a problem
Propagation
Propagate by division of tubers when dormant after flowering. Propagate by seed, sow seeds as soon as ripe in the autumn having removed the fleshy pulp, use gloves
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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