Italian Arum
Arum italicum
Italian Arum - Perennial, herbaceous plant that grows from tubers. Multiple tubers will be produced during growing season.
Leaves: Leaves emerge in the fall-winter and will die back in the summer. Leaves are arrowhead-shaped, green, and possibly has cream or silver-gray colored veins and markings. Young leaves are generally more oval in shape.
Flowers: Flowers bloom from April-June. Made up of a spathe and spadix, and grow into many red-orange berries in a cluster.
Habitat: Normally found in forest understudies, riparian areas, wetlands, old gardens, woodland gardens, and disturbed areas near urban developments.
Weed Classification: C
Why is it a Noxious Weed?
It is an introduced ornamental that escaped and has been naturalized in many western Washington counties. It's also a toxic plant that grows rapidly and spreads into riparian areas.
Italian Arum can spread rapidly and is found in Lewis County. If you have identified it anywhere in the county, or have any questions about control measures, please let us know!
Control Recommendations: