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Snakeshead
Arum maculatum
46.2465, 6.10531
Field Notes
Description:
Pale yellow-green hood-like spathe enclosing the brown-violet spadix, a structure bearing the inflorescence. Only the top of spadix is visible, consisting of hairs forming an elaborate insect trap, based on fecal smell propagated by the flower. The flowers are hidden, clustered at the base of the spadix, and well covered by spathe.
Habitat:
The snakeshead is a common woodland plant species across most of Europe. Here, observed growing in large numbers on a forest floor of Bagasse forest, predominantly oak forest on the border between France and Switzerland.
Notes:
The fruit of Snakeshead is a bright orange-red berry, occurring in late summer to early autumn. These attractive berries are extremely poisonous. The root-tuber may be very big and is used to store starch, and it used to be used as a replacement for arrowroot or to make a drink similar to salep. However, if prepared incorrectly, it remains highly toxic.
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