arum

Everyday

An arum is a plant with arrow-shaped leaves and a hood-like flower around a spike, such as the arum lily or the wild arum (cuckoo pint, lords and ladies). tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons in the UK and Ireland, the wild arum (lords and ladies) grows in woods and hedges; its bright red-orange berries in autumn are poisonous, so do not eat them. In gardens, the white arum lily is common, especially in Australia and New Zealand, where it can be a weed. Some arums smell bad to attract flies.

Examples

• Lords and ladies is a wild arum that grows in hedges. tree →
• Arum berries are poisonous. tree →
• The white arum lily is popular at weddings. tree →
• Flies are attracted to the smelly arum flower. tree →
• Don't pick the arum's red berries. tree →
• Arum lilies grow wild in parts of Australia. tree →

Note

Countable; an arum. Said AIR-um. Safety: all parts of arum plants are poisonous and can irritate skin and mouth.