About
Arum italicum 'Black Spot' is a tuberous perennial that grows up to 35 cm in height. It features substantial, arrow-shaped leaves that are dark green, glossy, and marked with distinctive black spots. In the autumn, it produces large, greenish-yellow spathes that encase a yellow spadix. Following this display, the plant bears vibrant spikes of orange-red berries.
About the genus
Arum consists of perennial plants that develop tubers. They feature simple leaves shaped like arrows and possess small flowers concealed at the base of a yellow or purple, club-like spadix, which is enveloped by a prominent, hood-like spathe. This is followed by the production of red berries.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical, Wildlife gardens
- Toxicity
- TOXIC if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained humus-rich soil and plant 10 to 15cm deep. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Division of clumps of tubers should take place after flowering. Alternatively, propagate by seed sown in autumn having removed the fleshy pulp
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free