Arisarum vulgare aka Common Arisarum

Arisarum vulgare, or friar’s cowl, is in the Araceae family. This plant lives for years and grows from a tuber underground. Its home range spans the Mediterranean to western Transcaucasus. It takes in parts of southern Europe and North Africa. It also reaches into western Asia. The plant grows in grassy spots and on open, rocky ground. Kew classes the climate where it grows as subtropical.

Friar’s cowl grows about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] tall. It grows in the cooler part of the year. Growth starts in autumn, not in spring. PFAF notes that it has leaves from October through July. The plant then rests in spring or summer. PFAF lists May as the month when it blooms. Each plant has both male and female flowers, which are separate. Insects bring pollen to the flowers. The supplied evidence for this species gives no fruit details.

In gardens, this plant suits shade and moist soil. PFAF says full shade and part shade both suit it. Its notes on garden use favour patches of shade and shaded edges. It grows well in woodland soil or sandy loam with leafmould. It accepts light sandy soils and medium loams. Soil can be a little acid, neutral, or a little alkaline. Gardeners can use it to cover ground in shaded spots. Its leaves do not stay all year, as it rests.

Take care with cold, despite its stated USDA range of 6–9. PFAF says it can live through brief cold near 14°F [−10°C]. Frost harms the leaves more than the plant at rest. A woodland site with shelter may suit gardens in mild regions. PFAF advises winter mulch and extra cover where needed. It also says to keep young seedlings under glass through their first winter. You can divide plants in spring once their top growth dies back.

The plant has calcium oxalate crystals. It is not safe to eat raw. These crystals can cause sharp pain in the mouth and tongue. PFAF notes that people have used the root as food during shortages. It gives the root’s size as about that of a walnut. This use needs treatment to remove the irritants or stop their harmful effects. The record of leaves as food is less sure. Those leaves also need cooking. These reports do not show that casual home preparation is safe. PFAF lists no known uses as medicine. It also reports no risk of the plant becoming a weed.