Picture of the Italian Arum on February 1, 2009.
FAMILY: Araceae
GENUS: Arum
SPECIES: italicum
When we arrived in Mississippi in mid-December or ’08, I was amazed to see how many plants were still growing. Getting used to the South was going to be awesome! I had just left California, and it was hard to believe there were Christmas lights hanging in trees above flowers that were blooming like is was summer!
Bloom on the Italian Arum on May 1, 2009.
When I was first exploring the back yard here in Leland, MS, I noticed a neat ‘Elephant Ear’ looking plant under the Oak Tree besides the old fish pool. It was growing in frigid temps like it was warm! I could hardly believe it! Well, I started doing some research, and found out that it could be an Italian Arum. The information I was reading said it will bloom in late spring to early summer, then seed heads will develop. Then it will go dormant through the summer months and
Picture of the Italian Arum on May 1, 2009.
come up again in late summer. SO, I kept my eye on it, and sure enough, that is exactly what happened! On May 1, as I was taking LOTS of pictures, the plant had blooms. After that, and I didn’t get any pictures of it, the seeds formed. Then it died! In September it started coming up again. Right now, as of January 3, 2010, the plant is nice and green and growing well!
Information states they grow 12-18 inches tall in sun to full shade. They are winter hardy in zones 5a-9b (-20 to 25 degrees F). They produce light yellow flowers (similar to most plants in the Arum genus) in late spring to early summer. It also said they are poisonous if ingested and handling could cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.
The Italian Arum coming up again after being dormant all summer. Picture taken on September 8, 2009.
I think this plant is awesome because it grows so well in the cold winter months and sleeps when it gets hot…
The Italian Arum alive and well on December 12, 2009!!!
