Arum apulum

Endemic to Apulia in southern Italy, where it grows in low scrub at 300-400 m elevation, Arum apulum is a tuberous perennial in the Araceae family, with a discoid tuber. Glossy, arrow-shaped leaves appear in autumn, carried on petioles that are purple at the base. In spring (April), a pale green spathe tinged with maroon surrounds a brownish-maroon spadix, giving off a foul odour that attracts pollinating insects, followed in summer by a spike of bright orange berries. Threatened by habitat loss, it grows well in part shade, in well-drained soil, with a summer rest period.