Could anyone tell me what this is?

Maireadw

Hi, just wondering if anyone could identify what this is, it is growing up through buttercups? Thank you.

Ado 2 · Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 7:26 pm Post subject:

Looks very much like the cuckoo pint. Lords and Ladies woodland poisonous plant Arum Maculatum

Maireadw · Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 7:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that Ado, any ideas how I can get rid of it?

Ado 2 · Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 7:38 pm Post subject:

I am no expert but cut off the seed head for start so it doesn't reseed. Someone else may know but I suspect dig and throw away the plant ! !

Maireadw · Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 8:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks Ado.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 8:16 pm Post subject:

Buttercups? Celandine. And yes, it is Lords and Ladies, Arum maculatum or Cuckoo Pint. Berries are poisonous - best get rid of it especially if there are children around.

Maireadw · Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 8:58 pm Post subject:

Thank you Sue, I like Celandine, it has a pretty flower and the heart shaped leaves are sweet. It is on the road side outside our house, I will get rid of the Cuckoo Pint in the morning.

Thanks for your help.

Good guy · Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 9:49 pm Post subject:

If it were me, I'd let the plant be. It in the ditch, doing its own thing. They grew profusely near my aunt's house when I was a child and we knew not to touch them.
All children need to know not to put berries etc into their mouths unless told by an adult that they are safe. If we were to rid ourselves of poisonous plants there would be precious few left.

Ado 2 · Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 9:52 pm Post subject:

It is a lovely plant , we had it all around us as kids , we knew not to touch it.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 7:40 am Post subject:

I agree with GG. I thought it was IN your garden. If it is growing outside the boundary, I'd leave it alone.

Greengage · Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 11:54 am Post subject:

There have been a number of incidents with people eating the berries but no fatalities as they cause a very quick stinging sensation meaning that you will not consume too many unless youare determined to kill yourself. i was trying to figure the differance between Arum italicum and A maculatum, so came across this site if your interested in growing them
http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Arum

Maireadw · Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 12:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the great information.

Sue it was growing on a bank about 2 feet off the ground. Along with children walking on that road, people walk dogs and hoses here as well. I don't know if it would affect cattle, but they are often driven on this road too.

Greengage · Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 6:36 am Post subject:

Its not going to jump out and bite anyone, so plant away.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 8:23 am Post subject:

Yeh, animals are fairly savvy about things like that and, as it is outside your garden it is not likey for children to happen on it unsupervised. That would be my only fear about such a plant in the garden.

I have a wide selection of 'poisonous' plants in the garden that I would have to think twice about if children regularly played there unattended.

Greengage · Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 12:17 pm Post subject:

could that be Hemlock on the opposite side of the road