A. italicum
         D. vulgaris
         A. vulgare

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Loading image. Please wait Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgare) :: Horton :: 2004/03/25 :: © A.Papadopoulos Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgare) :: Horton :: 2004/03/25 :: © A.Papadopoulos Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgare) :: Horton :: 2004/03/25 :: © A.Papadopoulos Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgare) :: Horton :: Jan. 1997 :: © A.Papadopoulos Friar's Cowl (Arisarum vulgare) :: Horton :: 2004/03/25 :: © A.Papadopoulos

Friar's Cowl

Arisarum vulgare

This rather bizarre, short to medium  perennial plant, which grows to a height of approximately 30 cm (11 4/5 in), propagates vegetatively by tubers.

Leaves are oval to heart-shaped, plain green or with darker spots or blotches. Inflorescence is long-stalked, held among or above the leaves. The spathe is narrow, about 4 –5 cm (1 3/5 - 2 in) long, green or chocolate brown, often striped in the lower half and speckled, hooded above, tubular below. Spadix is greenish, slightly protruding from the mouth of the spathe. Berries are greenish.

According to "Plants for a Future", the plant contains calcium oxylate crystals, which cause an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue if they are eaten, but are easily neutralized by thoroughly drying or cooking the plant or by steeping it in water.

The same source states that the root can be eaten cooked. The acrid juice should first be removed by thorough and repeated washing, leaving behind a nutritious and innoxious residue. Thorough drying or cooking will also destroy any harmful elements of this root. The root, which is about the size of a walnut, is frequently used as an emergency food in times of scarcity. One report suggests that the leaves might be edible; if they are they must be well cooked first. The plant can, also, make a good ground cover for a shady place, preventing the growth of weeds.

However, the "HYpermedia for Plant Protection" site maintains that the leaves and fruits of this plant are toxic. It also says that the leaves and tuber are  emetic.

Finally, "Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases" state that parts of the plant are used for the treatment of ear and spleen tumors.

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Fact Sheet

Type of plant
Short to medium perennial.

Flowering Season
October - May.

Known Hazards
Plant contains calcium oxylate crystals, which cause an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue when eaten. Another source states that leaves and fruits are toxic. Leaves and tuber are emetic.

Known Uses
Root can be eaten cooked, but must be thoroughly washed. Leaves may be edible, however they must be well cooked first. Parts of the plant may be used to treat ear and spleen tumors. "Plants for a Future" rate this plant 2 out of 5 for edibility and 0 out of 5 for medicinal use (min. 0, max. 5).

Habitat
Shaded or semi-shaded habitats, rocky places, scrub, banks, open woodland.

Distribution
Throughout the Mediterranean region, where it is a very common plant.

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Taxonomy


Kingdom: Plantae (Plants); Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular plants); Superdivision: Spermatophyta (Seed plants); Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants); Class: Liliopsida (Monocotyledons); Subclass: Arecidae; Order: Arales; Family: Araceae (Arum family); Genus: Arisarum; Species: vulgare

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Acknowledgments

The following sources have been used in preparing this page:

• BLAMEY, M., GREY-WILSON, C. 1993. Collins Guide to the Mediterranean Wild Flowers. Domino Books, Jersey. (See detailed review)
• "Plants for a Future"
• "HYpermedia for Plant Protection"
• "Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases"

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