Arum maculatum
cuckoo-pint
Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Overview
Arum maculatum is a tuberous perennial in the Araceae growing 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) tall from an underground tuber. The arrow-shaped leaves, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, emerge in early spring and are often marked with dark purple spots. In mid to late spring the plant produces a pale green hood, or spathe, that wraps around a purple-brown spadix, which warms and gives off a faint dung-like scent to draw small flies into the chamber below, where the true flowers sit. After the spathe withers, a dense spike of green berries forms and ripens to orange-red by late summer. All parts of the plant are poisonous and contain needle-like calcium oxalate crystals along with other irritant compounds; chewing the leaves or berries causes intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, and the berries are the most hazardous part. The foliage dies back by midsummer, leaving the fruiting spike standing alone. Hardy in USDA zones 6-9, it grows in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil. Native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, Arum maculatum grows in woodlands and shaded hedgerows.
Native Range
Arum maculatum is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, ranging across the British Isles and continental Europe. It grows in deciduous woodland, hedge banks, and other shaded, moist ground.Suggested Uses
Grown in woodland and shade gardens and in naturalized plantings under trees and along hedges. The shade and moisture it needs, together with its poisonous berries, suit out-of-the-way woodland corners rather than beds used by children.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'6"
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Bloom Information
The flowering structure appears in mid to late spring, typically April to May, when a pale green spathe opens to reveal a purple-brown spadix. The true flowers are hidden at the base inside the chamber. The spathe lasts one to two weeks before withering as the berries begin to form.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale green spathe with purple-brown spadixFoliage Description
green, often spotted dark purpleGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Arum maculatum grows in partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. It spreads where leaf mould keeps the ground cool and damp. The tuber rests through summer after the leaves die back and sends up new growth the following spring. The plant spreads by tuber offsets and by seed carried from the berries, forming colonies over time. All parts are poisonous if eaten, which limits where it suits planting around children and pets. It needs no fertilizer in woodland soil.Pruning
Pruning is not needed. Spent leaves can be cleared once they yellow and die back in summer. The berry spikes can be removed before the fruit drops to limit self-seeding and to take away the poisonous berries.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons