James H. Schutte
Family
Araceae
Botanical Name
ARUM creticum
Plant Common Name
Arum, Cretan Arum
General Description
At first glance of the Cretan arum in bloom, you'd think it was a lemon-scented calla lily. Native to the rocky mountainous hillsides of the Greek island of Crete, and adjacent western Turkey, it prospers in sunnier conditions, unlike many other arums which prefer shade.
The medium green, satiny leaves look like small arrowheads and appear from fall to spring. They die back in summer during the arid heat of the Mediterranean. Any time in spring, flower stems will rise above the leaves. Each bloom consists of a light lemon yellow spathe surrounding a slender golden spadix. The spathe points upward but flops backward as the flower ages. Orange-red fruits follow on the insect-pollinated parts of the lower spadix.
Grow Cretan arum in full sun to partial shade and gritty, well-drained soil enriched with lots of organic matter. Keep soil moist from fall to spring when foliage is present, but allow soil to dry out in summer when the plant becomes dormant. Do not plant it where it is exposed to salt spray or drying winds.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 10
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Sunset Zone
H1, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
12"-20" / 30.5cm - 50.8cm
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Width
16"-24" / 40.6cm - 61.0cm
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring
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Native To
Mediterranean, Turkey
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow, Light Yellow
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Fruit Color
Orange Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Alpine, Container, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
Yes