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Eminium spiculatum

Common name:		Family:	Araceae
Author:	(Bl)Kuntze.	Botanical references:	200
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	Many plants in this family are poisonous raw, due to the presence of calcium oxylate crystals. If eaten raw, this toxin gives you a sensation as if hundreds of tiny needles are sticking into the mouth, tongue etc. However, it is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant. Although no specific mention has been seen for this plant it is wise to assume that it is poisonous in its raw state.
Range:	S. Europe - Mediterranean to W. Asia.
Habitat:	Dry rocky places[200].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	1	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Arales. Arum family

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.25m. It is hardy to zone 8. It is in flower from May to June. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 1/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Cultivated Beds.

Edible Uses

Root.

Root - cooked. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a deep light fertile perfectly drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Strongly dislikes wet soils, it also need a period of warm dry weather when it is dormant in late summer in order to promote good flowering the following year[200].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10° c so long as the soil is well-drained[200]. It is usually best grown in a bulb frame or cold greenhouse, but can succeed outdoors at the base of a south-facing wall and also in a rock garden in dry summer areas.
The flowers are malodorous, attracting flies for pollination[200]. The fruit is developed at the base of the flowering stem, usually below ground, breaking the soil surface to disperse the seed[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe, though the seed can also be sown in early spring. Prick out the young seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting out in late summer when the plants are dormant[200].
Division in late summer when the plants are dormant[200].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for the family Araceae.

[CHINA] Draft Data Very detailed botanical/identification info. from the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Eminium+spiculatum
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Eminium+spiculatum

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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.