Re: Arum pictum

Tony and Moira Ryan wrote:
Hi folks -

Was researching a bit and came across this Arum species. I have not been able to find out much information (guess I need to go check the library for a copy of The Genus Arum, by Peter Boyle) about this autumn flowering bulb (the only one in the genus, apparently).

Arum pictum appears to be native to Italy, Sardenia, and other western Mediterranean areas(?). The flowers are dark burgundy/black and the leaves which follow are dark green with lighter veins and a distinct dark red edge to the leaf.

Does anyone out there have experience with it?


Hi Sean
I have never seen this one myself, but Flora says it is a native of the western Med. islands and the Harkness Seedlist Handbook specifies Corsica and Sardinia. There seems to be no mention of it being wild in Italy itself.

It appears to behave like any other Arum by being summer dormant and enjoying a position in half shade, but differs, as you say, from all other species in flowering in Autumn rather than Spring.

The only picture they give shows it's typical arum fruits completely green (so one presumes not yet ripe)

Its climate range is given as 8-10, so pretty average for the genus.

It does look attractive in the pics. and probably worth growing. I am not sure why it is not more common in cultivation -perhaps not spectacular enough for many people's taste. Nothing I have seen suggests there are particular problems in growing it anyway.

Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES ADDED 4/Feb/2004

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