Arum dioscoridis

Physical Characteristics

Arum dioscoridis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from October to July, in flower in May. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Flies. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

S. Europe and N. Africa - E. Mediterranean.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Tuber - cooked and used as a vegetable[2, 61, 105, 177]. It must be thoroughly dried or cooked before being eaten, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient The root is abortifacient[61].

Known Hazards

The plant contains calcium oxylate crystals. These cause an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue if they are eaten, but they are easily neutralized by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water[65].