Arum dioscoridis var. cyprium

This form of the wide-ranging Arum dioscoridis hails from the small but tall island of Cyprus, just south of everyone's favorite Thanksgiving meal. Arum dioscoridis var. cyprium emerges in fall forming a clump of large, dark green, spade-shaped leaves. In late April as the leaves prepare to go dormant, the clumps are topped with amazing spathe and spadix inflorescences on short stalks. The spathes (the sail-like part of the floral structure) are creamy yellow, highlighted by dark purple staining at the base which changes to large, dark purple spots toward the center. The floral smell is a bit unpleasant for a few hours, but then so is a colonoscopy...still worthwhile!