| DESCRIPTION: It is a perennial, aquatic, herbaceous plant reaching 15-60 cm in height. It produces large, erect, succulent, glossy green, arrow-shaped leaves up to 60 cm tall and 15 cm wide. They emerge annually from perennial bulbs. USE: The plant is rich in calcium oxylate, which is toxic. However, calcium oxylate is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant. The rhizomes are edible after they have been well cooked. It is grown as an ornamental for its decorative foliage. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: White arrow arum. FURTHER INF: It can be found in non-alluvial swamps and in shallow water at or near the edges of ponds and bog gardens. It thrives in a wet lime-free humus-rich soil by the side of water or in shallow still or slowly flowing water to 15 cm. It is however not very particular to soil texture. It is intolerant of salinity, drought and soils that dry up. It is native of South-eastern North America ˆ North Carolina to Florida. |
