Arum dioscoridis

The Arum dioscoridis, sometimes called Dioscoride's arum, is a perennial tuberous plant that grows spontaneously from the east of the Mediterranean to the Middle East. Its vegetation cycle, adapted to Mediterranean-type climates, is characterized by the appearance of beautiful exotic foliage in autumn, which remains evergreen throughout the winter and disappears after flowering. In spring, the plant produces a decorative, spotted spathe inflorescence with a strong smell. This perennial naturalizes in natural and wild Mediterranean gardens. Elsewhere, enthusiasts of unusual arums can also grow it in pots, which makes it easier to meet its requirements.

The Arum dioscoridis is a perennial herbaceous and tuberous plant. It belongs to the Araceae family. It is a species found in southern Europe (Greece), western Asia (Turkey), Lebanon, and Syria. In nature, it is found in undergrowth, fallow land, among crops, on slopes, up to 2500 m altitude. This plant thrives in a Mediterranean climate characterized by humid winters and dry summers. The beautiful leaves of Arum dioscoridis are elongated, lanceolate-shaped, strongly veined, measuring between 13 and 45 cm long and 9 to 27 cm wide. Their color is a beautiful bright green, slightly glossy. They are carried by a petiole that can reach 50 cm long. Flowering occurs in April or May. The plant produces unisexual flowers (either male or female), grouped in spadices measuring 12 to 28 cm long, with a fusiform reddish-brown appendix. The spadices are surrounded by a lanceolate to elliptical lanceolate spathe, 11 to 40 cm long, greenish-yellowish in color, speckled with purple, reddish-brown, or violet depending on the strains. Pollination is carried out by small flies attracted by the strong acrid odor of the spadix. The fruits, shaped like elongated pears, measure from 5 to 11 mm long and 4 to 6 mm in diameter. Arum dioscoridis is hardy up to zone 8 (-12°C), but it does not like overly rainy summers. This plant self-seeds in the garden without becoming invasive.

Thriving on the edge of the undergrowth or even in dense shade, Arum dioscoridis is perfect for dressing the ground in winter with its beautiful foliage. It can also be used to beautify a shaded rockery. It is a natural garden plant, and the smell of its flowering can be overpowering: place it far enough from the house or high-traffic areas. It can be associated with ferns for dry soil, acanthus, Arum italicum subsp. italicum Marmoratum, and Dracunculus vulgaris in a garden in the South of France. It can also be planted en masse under an evergreen shrub hedge.

Note: all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested due to the saponins and various alkaloids contained in the leaves, fruits, and rhizome.