Italian arum
Botanical Name
Arum italicum
Family
Araceae (arum)
Also known as
Italian lily
Where is it originally from?
Eurasia
What does it look like?
Clump-forming, winter-green perennial (<25-60 cm) growing from tubers (main tuber 4 cm diameter) with glossy, dark-green, arrow-shaped leaves (<30 cm) with creamy midribs and main veins, that are present from autumn to spring. From September to December a yellow, finger-like spike, surrounded by a large, white, funnel-shaped, modified leaf (<25 cm), forms a flower-like structure that is followed by round orange or yellow berries (1 cm) on the flower stalk after the leaves die back.
Are there any similar species?
Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), stink lily and calla lilies all lack the cream-coloured mid-rib and main veins on their leaves.
Why is it weedy?
Tolerates most soil types, is drought resistant once established and is long-lived, persisting under regenerating canopies. Its dense growth smothers the ground. It is poisonous and avoided by stock and it recovers from heavy damage.
How does it spread?
Seed is spread by birds and water, and tuber fragments form new plants.
What damage does it do?
It forms dense cover on the ground in open sites, shading out small native plants and preventing native plants establishing.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Heavily disturbed shrubland and forest, herbfields, damp areas with high light and regenerating ex-pasture.
What can I do to get rid of it?
1. Dig out scattered plants (all year round): remove all pieces of root and dispose of them at a refuse transfer station.
2. Cut and paint stumps: metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (1g) + glyphosate (100ml) + penetrant per 1L water. Mulch the leaves and dispose of seeds at a refuse transfer station.
3. Overall spray: metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (3g) + glyphosate (150ml) + penetrant per 10L water.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Plant a dense cover of native trees or shrubs to produce shade.
