Arum dioscoridis in flower in a garden in the UK, June. Plant with three flowers, each consisting of a leaf-like bract, the spathe, surrounding a cent

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Arum dioscoridis in flower in a garden in the UK, June. Plant with three flowers, each consisting of a leaf-like bract, the spathe, surrounding a central columnar spadix (two clearly visible, the third mostly obscured by its spathe, to top). Both spathe and spadix are dark purple in hue; the spathe with mottled markings. A. dioscoridis is a native of the East Mediterranean region, including Southern Turkey, the Middle East and Cyprus. It is a variable species, particularly with regard to the colouring of the spathe. Other forms have higher contrast mottling, or different, less vivid hues. In common with most dark-flowered Arums, the plant has an odour offensive to humans, since the scent has evolved to attract its pollinators - flies that feed on carrion. It is a hardy perennial plant, suitable for UK gardens, needing full sun.

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Size: 3468px × 5212px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: arum, biological, biology, botanical, botany, carrion, cyprus, dioscoridis, east, flora, flower, flowering, fly, garden, hardy, mediterranean, nature, perennial, plant, pollination, spadix, spathe, turkey