Arum creticum

Arum creticum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Arum
Species:
A. creticum
Binomial name
Arum creticum
Boiss. & Heldr. (1854)

Arum creticum, the Cretan arum, is a species in of flowering plant in the family Araceae.[1][2] It is native to the Greek island of Crete (Kriti), the Eastern Aegean Islands, and southwestern Turkey. This semi-evergreen clump-forming tuberous perennial has large arrow-shaped leaves. Erect folded-back spathes of fragrant yellow or cream appear in spring, with longer narrow spadices of a darker yellow. The flowers are followed in autumn by clusters of red or orange fruit.[3] The plant reaches 50 cm (20 in) tall and broad.

Description

By relative inflorescence height, Arum species are divided into "cryptic" species, whose inflorescences are borne on a short peduncle amid or below the leaves, and "flag" species, whose inflorescences are above leaf level at the end of long peduncles. A. creticum is a flag species.[4]

Taxonomy

Together with Arum idaeum it has been placed in subsection Cretica,[5] which has been confirmed through genetic testing. They are estimated to have split about 2.2 Mya. No other species are related within 5 Mya.[6]

Cultivation

Arum creticum is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate gardens. It is hardy but requires a sheltered position in sun or partial shade, with moist soil.

Toxicity

Caution should be exercised when handling it, as it is an irritant and toxic if ingested.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Arum creticum Boiss. & Heldr". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  2. ^ "Arum creticum Boiss. & Heldr". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "Arum creticum". RHS. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  4. ^ Gibernau, Macquart & Przetak 2004, p. 152.
  5. ^ Boyce 1989.
  6. ^ Linz et al. 2010.
  7. ^ "Arum creticum". Beth Chatto Gardens. Retrieved 13 June 2023.

Bibliography