Stink Lily, Dragon Lily, Dragon arum
Dracunculus vulgaris

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A tall tuber forming plant. It grows 1 m tall. The 'stem' is thick and strongly blotched. This 'stem' is formed from the leaf stalks and the flower stem. The leaves are deep green and often have white streaks. The leaves are deeply divided into 10-15 narrow segments. The edges of these segments are wavy. The spathe around the flower is a rich velvety red but green on the outside. The spathe is broadly sword shaped. It is 25-40 cm long. The spike of flowers is a deep reddish-black. It is stout and shiny and erect. It tapers to the tip. The flower has a strong bad smell. The fruit are berries in an oblong head.

There are 26 Arum species.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in rocky places and dry hillsides. It is usually at low altitudes in the Mediterranean.

Countries/locations it is found in

Algeria, Australia, Europe, France, Mediterranean, North Africa, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The starch of the root can be used to add to bread flour after the acrid element has been removed. The roots are boiled and the water changed before being cooked as a meal. CAUTION: Plants in this group are possibly poisonous without careful treatment.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Root, tuber, corm

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Arum vulgaris L.;