Land Plants - invasive

Italian Arum (Arum italicum) on Mar 14, 2025

Submitter does not have a specimen
EDRR Status: Local expert notified

Description of specimen

Several clumps of italian arum, as identified by my "Picture This" phone app. I also compared the photo to the photos in the Weed Watchers Guide that I received when I attended the weed watchers training.

Commentary

Thanks for the report Lori! It is indeed Italian arum. I'm glad you are making use of your Weed Watchers Guide!

Italian arum is a very difficult species to eradicate. I'll let the City of Hillsboro, who owns the park, know about it.

Here's some more information about the species.
https://tualatinswcd.org/species/italian-arum/
https://tualatinswcd.org/italian-arum_bmp/

Thanks,
Keith Nasman
Invasive Species Technician
Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District
971-330-0902
keith.nasman@tualatinswcd.org

Keith Nasman
March 17, 2025, 1:07 a.m.

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.

Resources

Washington State Noxious Weed Board info on Italian Arum

Location

Two different clusters of Italian Arum were found in Noble Woods Park not far from the southwest parking lot entrance. They are both just a few feet north of the paved pathway that runs from the southwest entrance to the park to the park interior. The clusters are several feet apart and both are on the same north side of the paved trail. I could not get a google maps GPS location due to fuzzy cell signal, but I am attaching the google maps screen.

Expert Reviewer

Keith Nasman
Tualatin SWCD

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