Native Plant Alternatives to Arum italicum (Italian Arum)

Arum italicum, also known as Italian arum or Italian lords-and-ladies, is native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa but has been introduced in many other parts of the world, including North America, where it is now found in the wild in a number of states.

Italian arum is a tough and adaptable plant that can grow in a range of conditions, including deep shade, and it is resistant to deer and other herbivores. It produces clusters of bright red berries that can be attractive to birds, which then spread the seeds.

However, once established, Italian arum can be very difficult to eradicate. It grows from tubers that can go quite deep in the soil, and if any piece of the tuber is left behind, it can regenerate into a new plant. The plant’s characteristic arrow-shaped leaves are glossy and attractive, which leads some gardeners to plant it without realizing its invasive potential.

Italian Arum is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.