Arum pictum: A Dramatic Fall-Blooming Aroid with a Notorious Fragrance

Arums are mysterious—foliage in one season, flower in another, then surprising fruit. Arum pictum breaks the pattern: it blooms in autumn, when woodland flowers are scarce, delivering purple-black drama and an unforgettable scent.

Distinction from Arum italicum 'Pictum'

Common A. italicum is a spring bloomer with red summer seed heads. A. pictum is a separate species, native to Mediterranean coasts, hardy in warmer Zone 7 and south. Both share "Lords and Ladies" and the aroid spathe/spadix structure.

Seasonal Show

• Late summer: Glossy, heavily veined, heart-shaped leaves emerge (8–12 in tall).
• Autumn: Cup-shaped spathe rises—greenish base, deepening to burgundy/purple tip; interior dark purple. Central spadix even darker. Odor: Often compared to horse dung, skunk, or rotting flesh.
• Winter: Leaves persist after flower fades.
• Following summer: Seed head appears—central stem with tight cluster of berries, green ripening to vibrant orange-red.

Culture

Part sun to sun; rich, well-drained, humusy soil. Pot culture essential in frost zones—though fragrance makes indoor display challenging. Greenhouse with ventilation works.

Caution

Most arums are poisonous: can sicken pets, cause skin irritation. Site carefully.

Thanks to photographers: C.J. Addington (thumbnail, permission), Digigalos (foliage, Wikimedia CC), Matteo Paolo Tauriello (bloom in Sardinia, Flickr), Isidro Martínez (berries, DG member Zaragoza, PlantFiles).