Report #2362 - Report: Italian Arum (Arum italicum)

Italian Arum (Arum italicum) on Apr 30, 2018

Submitter has sample
EDRR Status: Local expert notified

Description of specimen

See the photo. Although the plants are still small this April, eventually they will completely dominate some of our flower beds. Later on they produce the red berries. For a while we did not connect the berries to the plants -- but now we know. The plants seem to be very difficult to get rid of.

Commentary

None

Remedy

Italian arum can be difficult to eradicate once established. Make sure to wear gloves and long sleeves and pants when removing it, as its sap can cause skin irritation. Do not compost or put in your yard debris, as this can lead to spreading of tubers which can grow into new plants. Home control methods can include carefully digging out the tuber and any daughter tubers and disposing in the trash. Cutting and disposing of the berries in the trash can help prevent spreading to new sites. Herbicide trials are still inconclusive, please contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District if you are interested in chemical control.

Location

A plant that appears to be Italian Arum has been thriving in the patio gardens behind our apartment complex for at least the past 6 years. I wasn't sure what it was until now. At one time I dug all of the specimens up in a garden area about 2x10 feet in size -- and screened the soil down to 1.5 feet to remove the seeds/fruits (about 1 cm or less in diameter). The next year, many more plants than I had before came up. I cannot seem to get rid of them. I think that people like the red berries and may spread them around. We don't want to lose our other garden plants, but it would be wonderful if there was a herbicide to handle these plants.

It is thriving in these small patio gardens behind our apartment complex

Italian Arum (Arum italicum) on Apr 30, 2018

Description of specimen

Commentary

Remedy

Resources

Location

Expert Reviewer