Arum italicum

It grows 30–46 cm (1–1.5 ft) high, with equal spread. It blooms in spring with white flowers that turn to showy red fruit.[2] It is cultivated as an ornamental plant for traditional and woodland shade gardens.[2] Subspecies italicum (the one normally grown in horticulture) has distinctive pale veins on the leaves, whilst subspecies neglectum (known as late cuckoo pint[8]) has faint pale veins, and the leaves may have dark spots.[9] Some gardeners use this arum to underplant with Hosta, as they produce foliage sequentially: when the Hosta withers away, the arum replaces it in early winter, maintaining ground-cover.[10] Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, of which A. italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[11]

Arum italicum can be invasive in some areas.[10][12]

Arum italicum may hybridize with Arum maculatum.[13]

In 1778, Lamarck noticed that the inflorescence of this plant produces heat.[14][15]

Leaves, fruits and rhizomes contain compounds that make them poisonous. Notably, leaves are rich in oxalic acid; other active principles are present in other parts. The ingestion of berries, which are showy and red, can be fatal for babies and young children, as well as dogs.

• 
  Bulbs
• 
  Mature leaves
• 
  Spathe
• 
  Ripe berries
• 
  Botanical illustration
• 
  Leaves of cultivar 'Marmoratum'

Within the genus, A. italicum belongs to subgenus Arum, section Arum.[16]

A. italicum generally has a chromosome count of 2n = 84, except that a few subspecies (such as ssp. albispathum have 2n = 56).[16]

• "Arum italicum". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved September 25, 2006.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arum italicum.

• Missouri Botanical Garden - Kemper Center for Home Gardening - Arum italicum
• Invasive Plant Atlas Italian arum - Arum italicum