Arum Maculatum ✨

: Following the flower, the plant produces a spike of berries that transition from green to a striking bright orange-red by late summer.

: Thrives in moist, fertile soils, typically in deciduous woodlands, hedgerows, and shady garden corners. arum maculatum

: A specialized structure consisting of a pale green, hood-like spathe enclosing a purple, rod-shaped spadix . It blooms from April to May. : Following the flower, the plant produces a

Arum maculatum , commonly known as or Cuckoo Pint , is a woodland-dwelling perennial plant native to much of Europe, including the UK. It is widely recognized for its unique flowering structure and its extreme toxicity, containing needle-sharp calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate pain and swelling if ingested. Key Identification Features It blooms from April to May

: The plant is "thermogenic," meaning it generates heat and emits a foul, dung-like odor to attract flies (specifically Psychoda phalaenoides ) for pollination.

: All parts of the plant are highly poisonous . Contact with skin can cause irritation, while ingestion leads to severe mouth swelling, difficulty breathing, and stomach pain.