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Can anyone tell me what this plant is please?

brightboys322brightboys322 Posts: 43
in Plants
I noticed this plant in the section of my garden which is shady during the middle and later part of the day.  I wonder if it is poisonous and how it arrived here.  Seed dropped by a bird maybe?

Posts

  • TackTack Posts: 1,302
    edited September 2021
    Arum Maculatum, known as Lords and Ladies. I have it all over, I assume yes, brought originally by birds. Yes also to toxic https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/1660/arum-maculatum/details

    Central southern England
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,379
    Arum italicum - the berries are toxic to humans.  Spreads readily. 
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,150
    It is. an Arum, probably from a bird, as you suspect. They are toxic.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 85,983
    edited September 2021
    Arum maculatum … aka Lords & Ladies, Jack in the Pulpit, Cuckoo Pint and many other names. A fascinating spring flower that traps flies to
    pollinate the flower … the leaves disappear after flowering leaving just the flower spike to produce the seeds in those red berries. 
    Toxic to humans but a great wildlife food resource. 

    A bit invasive in gardens … the more ornate form Arum italicum is less of a nuisance. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,379
    @Dovefromabove - always get those 2 names muddled up but at least the ..um bit was correct ;)
  • brightboys322brightboys322 Posts: 43
    Thank you so much to all for info re the arum maculatum.  Useful to know that it is toxic to humans .  Many thanks.
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