: Large, glossy, and arrow-shaped (3–11 inches long). They often feature distinctive dark purplish-black spots —the basis of its scientific name maculatum —though these spots are not always present.
: A specialized structure consisting of a pale green, hood-like spathe enclosing a purple, rod-shaped spadix . It blooms from April to May. arum maculatum
: It is frequently mistaken for wild garlic (Ramsons) or sorrel . Unlike garlic, Arum leaves have a "border vein" running just inside the edge and do not smell like onions when crushed. Traditional and Modern Uses : Large, glossy, and arrow-shaped (3–11 inches long)
: All parts of the plant are highly poisonous . Contact with skin can cause irritation, while ingestion leads to severe mouth swelling, difficulty breathing, and stomach pain. It blooms from April to May
: The plant is "thermogenic," meaning it generates heat and emits a foul, dung-like odor to attract flies (specifically Psychoda phalaenoides ) for pollination.
Arum maculatum , commonly known as or Cuckoo Pint , is a woodland-dwelling perennial plant native to much of Europe, including the UK. It is widely recognized for its unique flowering structure and its extreme toxicity, containing needle-sharp calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate pain and swelling if ingested. Key Identification Features