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Arum italicum

Italian Arum · Italian Cuckoo-pint · Large Cuckoo Pint · Italian Lords and Ladies

Family AraceaeGenus Arum

A pale green hooded spathe opened at the base to show a creamy yellow spadix and rows of small flowers, rising from dry leaf litter
FlowerMirko UbovićCC0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Bulb, Herbaceous PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
tuberous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height
1-2 ft30-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1-2 ft30-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Green, Purple/Lavender, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Albania, Algeria, Azores, Baleares, Bulgaria, Canary Is. and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
5-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Deep shade; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
High Organic MatterExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The leaves, fruit and rhizomes are poisonous, rich in oxalates, and the sap can irritate skin. Even so, in Croatia the corms were eaten in times of famine. Wikipedia: Arum italicum

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

75% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Arum p. 15Public domain
Show the original text
Arum (Araceae). A. italicum germ. 70D-40-70D(75% in MO d) and 40-70D-40-70D(5/8 in 1-3 w)- 40-70D(1/8). Seeds DS 1 y were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Arum p. 15. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

    1/8 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 4 run on after germination.

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 21 days.

62% germination in 7–21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Arum p. 15Public domain
Show the original text
Arum (Araceae). A. italicum germ. 70D-40-70D(75% in MO d) and 40-70D-40-70D(5/8 in 1-3 w)- 40-70D(1/8). Seeds DS 1 y were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Arum p. 15. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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