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Dracunculus vulgaris is often confused with:
Arum italicum Plant
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Anthurium scherzerianum Anthurium scherzerianum
Arisaema triphyllum Flower - May 10 - Wake Co., NC
Arum palaestinum Flowers

Dracunculus vulgaris

Previously known as:

  • Arum dracunculus.
Phonetic Spelling
drak-UN-koo-lus vul-GAIR-iss
Description

Dragon arum is an tuberous, herbaceous perennial native to the rocky hills and slopes of the Mediterranean in the Araceae (arum) family. It is found in Greece, Crete, the Aegean Islands and Turkey. The genus name means small dragon referring to the shape of the leaves resembling dragon feet. The species name means common.

The large lobed leaves occur in clusters on a purple pseudostem and can be up to 12 inches long. In late spring to early summer, a large flower called a spadix appears. The spathe is up to 20 inches tall and 8 inches wide and surrounds a central spike called a spadix. The spadix consists of small flowers with male flowers on top and female flowers below. This can be as tall or taller than the spathe. 

The foul smell of the flower attracts flies and beetles for pollination. Once inside the spadix, it is difficult for the insects to fly off until pollination is complete in a day or so. Then the flower begins to wither. Berries are then formed that mature to red-orange and attract birds.

Dragon arum prefers full sun to partial shade in fertile moist loam. It is drought-tolerant and deer resistant. It spreads by seeding and bulb off-sets that can be divided. Use this plant as an accent or specimen but be aware of the foul odor from the flower and plant away from windows, doors or seating areas.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#showy leaves#spadix#bird friendly#maroon flowers#malodorous#problem for cats#problem for dogs#perennial#sun#th-smell
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#showy leaves#spadix#bird friendly#maroon flowers#malodorous#problem for cats#problem for dogs#perennial#sun#th-smell
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dracunculus
    Species:
    vulgaris
    Family:
    Araceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Greece, Crete and the Aegean Islands and Turkey
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds will eat the berries. Flies and beetles are attracted to the flower
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Pear-shaped berries are initially green and orange-red when ripe
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Maroon tubular spadix flower with unpleasant fragrance. The spathe is up to 20 inches tall and 8 inches wide with wavy margins and surrounds a central spike called a spadix. The spadix consists of small flowers with male flowers on top and female flowers below and can vary in color. This can be as tall or taller than the spathe and 1/2 inch wide. Blooms April to July
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmasect
    Reniform
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The large leaves are fan-shaped and palmately divided with 9-15 finger-like lobes. They grow up to 12 inches long, are dark green and often mottled with white. Leaves appear in clusters of 2-4 on a black to purple-spotted pseudostem.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    The pseudostem is pale to light grey green with numerous jagged dark purple to almost black markings
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    English Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs