Italian Arum Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum'
ABOUT
Arum italicum 'Marmoratum', commonly known as Italian arum, is a perennial plant recognized for its attractive foliage and intriguing flowers. The leaves of Italian arum are arrow-shaped, glossy, and have a lush green color with distinctive creamy-white or pale yellow veining that gives them a marbled appearance. This distinctive marbling pattern is particularly prominent and adds a decorative touch to shaded garden areas. The flowers of Italian arum are not like those of typical flowering plants. They possess a unique structure known as a spadix, which is a spike where tiny flowers are concentrated, and this is enclosed by a spathe. The spathe is a showy, hood-like bract that can range in color from green to a pale yellowish or creamy hue. The spadix is typically a pale yellow and stands out against the spathe. Following the flowering period, Italian arum produces clusters of brightly colored berries. These berries can be orange to red and add a splash of color to the plant's appearance. They provide a striking contrast to the green foliage and are visually appealing in the garden. Overall, Italian arum 'Marmoratum' is often noted for its ornamental leaves, which provide year-round interest, and its unique flowering structure that adds an exotic touch to temperate gardens. The plant is prized for its ability to thrive in shady areas where other plants might not flourish, making it a favored choice for gardeners looking to add texture and color to less sunny spots.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Italian Arum, Marble Leaf, Pictum, Lords-and-Ladies, Cuckoo Pint.
Common names
Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum'.
ToxicityTo humans
Italian Arum, which is the most common name of Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum', contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to humans. If ingested, the plant can cause intense irritation of the mouth and throat, difficulty in swallowing, burning pain, and swelling. In severe cases, consuming this plant can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Ingesting large quantities can be especially dangerous and may require medical attention.
To pets
Italian Arum is also toxic to pets due to its calcium oxalate crystals. If ingested, pets may show signs of oral irritation, pawing at the face, drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or swallowing. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, which can be serious and may necessitate prompt veterinary care.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Green
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Arum italicum 'Marmoratum', commonly known as Italian Arum, has distinctive marble-patterned leaves that add a unique visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Shade Tolerant: It is well-suited for planting in shaded areas where other plants may not thrive, making it useful for filling in dark corners of the garden.
- Winter Interest: This plant offers valuable winter interest with its foliage and berries presenting attractive features when many other plants are dormant.
- Low Maintenance: Italian Arum is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal upkeep once established, thus convenient for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Naturalizing: It is capable of naturalizing over time, forming attractive clumps that can cover ground and suppress weeds, reducing garden maintenance.
- Seasonal Dynamics: Offering a dynamic seasonal change, the leaves die back in summer to re-emerge more vibrantly in autumn, providing a changing aspect throughout the year.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Arum italicum, commonly known as Italian Arum, can be used for education and botanical studies due to its distinct lifecycle and morphological features that make it interesting for plant biology lessons.
- The intricate leaf patterns of the Italian Arum can be used as an inspiration for artists and designers, particularly in textile designs and patterns.
- Italian Arum's dried seed heads can be incorporated into floral arrangements for their unique textural contrast and visual interest.
- Gardeners use Italian Arum for ground cover in shaded areas where other plants might struggle to grow, thanks to its hardiness and low maintenance requirements.
- The bright red berries of the Italian Arum can be used as a natural dye, although it is crucial to handle with care as they are poisonous.
- Photographers often utilize Italian Arum as a subject for macro and close-up photography due to its detailed and striking inflorescence.
- Because of its ability to thrive in woodland settings, Italian Arum is sometimes used in forest regeneration projects to help stabilize soil and promote biodiversity.
- The plant's resilience to deer browsing makes Italian Arum a practical choice for gardens in areas with a high deer population.
- It can serve as a "trap plant" in gardens, drawing in pests away from more valuable plants, although this use requires careful management due to its invasive nature.
- Italian Arum leaves can be used in the creation of leaf mould, a type of compost that is beneficial for soil health, although the plant's toxicity should be considered during handling.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Italian Arum is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Italian Arum is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Wealth: The lush, glossy leaves and elegant appearance of Arum italicum, commonly known as Italian Arum, are often associated with opulence and prosperity.
- Luxury: Due to its ornate leaf patterns and marble-like variegation, Italian Arum symbolizes a sense of luxury and a taste for the finer things in life.
- Fecundity: The plant's ability to rapidly colonize an area through its underground tubers embodies the idea of fecundity and fertility.
- Perseverance: Italian Arum is known for its hardiness and resilience, representing the human virtues of persistence and the ability to overcome adversity.
- Death and the Afterlife: In some traditions, the arum family has associations with death due to their commonly white flowers which can symbolize the soul's journey, making it a plant sometimes found in funerary art and gravesites.
WaterItalian Arum should be watered once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, typically every 7 to 10 days based on room temperatures. It's important to avoid over-watering by allowing the pot to drain thoroughly and never leaving the plant in standing water. During active growth periods in spring and summer, you might find watering more frequently necessary, using about half a gallon per watering for a standard pot size. In winter, reduce watering to every 2 to 3 weeks as the plant enters dormancy. Always use room temperature water to avoid shocking the plant's roots.
LightThe Italian Arum prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate partial shade. It should be placed in a spot that gets lots of light but is shielded from the harsh direct rays of the afternoon sun. A north-facing or east-facing window would typically offer the ideal light conditions for this plant.
TemperatureItalian Arum thrives at temperatures between 65°F and 75°F during the day and should not be subjected to temperatures below 50°F, as cold can cause damage to the plant. It's best to avoid drastic temperature changes and keep the plant away from drafty windows or heating and cooling sources.
PruningPrune Italian Arum after the foliage dies back to maintain plant health and appearance. This usually happens in late summer or early autumn. Remove yellowed or spent leaves to direct the plant's energy to the healthy foliage and roots. Pruning should be done sparingly, only when necessary to remove dead foliage.
CleaningAs needed
SoilItalian Arum 'Marmoratum' flourishes in well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite in equal proportions can create an ideal growing medium for this elegant woodland plant.
RepottingItalian Arum 'Marmoratum' should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil. The best time to repot is in the late summer or early fall, after the foliage has died back, allowing the rhizomes to settle before the growing season.
Humidity & MistingItalian Arum 'Marmoratum' prefers moderate to high humidity levels but is adaptable to less humid conditions typical of most indoor environments. Aim for a humidity level around 40-50% for optimal growth without special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in indirect light, keep soil moist, not wet.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, enriched soil, shelter from harsh sun.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleArum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum', commonly known as Italian Arum or Marble Leaf, begins its life cycle when its berry-like seeds germinate in the spring. The plant develops into a tuber that lies dormant underground throughout the hot summer months. In the fall, the foliage emerges, showcasing the distinctive marbled leaves that persist through winter, capturing sunlight and photosynthesizing during the colder months when many other plants are dormant. After the winter, in the spring, it produces a hooded flower-like structure called a spathe, surrounding a spike called a spadix, which is the reproductive organ. Following pollination, typically by flies attracted to the spadix, the plant produces a cluster of bright red berries that contain the seeds for the next generation. Each cycle, the tuber enlarges, allowing the plant to increase in size and produce more foliage and flowers in subsequent years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Italian Arum, specifically Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum', is commonly propagated during the fall. The most popular method is through division of the tubers. When the plant goes dormant in the summer, carefully unearth the tubers and divide them, ensuring that each section has at least one growth point. These separated tubers can then be replanted at a depth of about 4 to 5 inches (approximately 10 to 12.5 cm), spaced at intervals of approximately 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) apart. It's important to choose a shady location with well-draining soil to foster healthy growth. After planting, watering should be moderate to establish the tubers without causing waterlogged conditions which may lead to rot.
