Arisarum vulgare, Friar's Cowl, Arison, Aharon's Rod,
لوف / سبط / إيرنا ,לופית מצויה
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| | Scientific name: |
| Arisarum vulgare Targioni-Tozzetti |
| Synonym name: |
| Arisarum vulgare L. |
| Common name: |
| Aharon's Rod |
| Hebrew name: |
| לופית מצויה |
| Arabic name: |
| لوف / سبط / إيرنا |
| Family: |
| Araceae, לופיים |
Date Picture Taken: March 2, 2007
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| | Life form: |
| Geophyte |
| Leaves: |
| Rosette, entire |
| Flowers: |
| No petals and tepals |
| Flowering Period: |
| January, February, March, April, October, November, December |
| Habitat: |
| Batha, Phrygana |
| Distribution: |
| Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Montane vegetation of Mt. Hermon |
| Chorotype: |
| Mediterranean |
| Summer shedding: |
| Ephemeral |
Date Picture Taken: February 10, 2008
Derivation of the botanical name:
Arisarum, arisaron (as used by Dioscorides in reference to aris, aridos, the name of a small herb mentioned by Pliny, possibly Arisarum itself, and aron (Arum))
vulgare, common.
The standard author abbreviation Targioni Tozzetti is used to indicate Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti (Italy, 1712-1783).
The standard author abbreviation L. is used to indicate Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778), a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, the father of modern taxonomy.
The plant has originated and is native to the Mediterranean region.
Arisarum vulgare is a tuberous perennial geophyte with a pulpit-shaped, dark purple-brown 'flower' from which a curved tongue-like structure is seen protruding out. The spathe or involucral leaf resembles a cowl, hence the name 'Friar's Cowl.
The plant grows from an underground tuberous rhizome hence a creeping underground which give rise to new stalked leaves and flowers each year. Since the underground stem lives all year round, the plant is described as perennial, but actually, during the hottest period of the year, there are no aerial leaves or flowers.
Every leaf and flower are supported by a single, unbranched stalk that grows directly from the underground tuber.
The petioles (leafstalks) bear a single fleshy leaf about 10 to 18cm long and 6-8cm wide and have dark spots and flecks that resemble ants (Formicidae) in size and shape on the petioles and inflorescence stems, a visual insect mimicry that serves as herbivore repellent cues and are part of the defence system of the plants.
The period of blooming (florescence) is January, February, March, April, October, November, December
In Israel we find the Arisarum vulgare in the Mediterranean Woodlands, Shrublands and Montane vegetation of Mt. Hermon.
In North Africa, the roots are much used in seasons of shortage. The root, which is not as large as an ordinary walnut, contains an acid juice, which makes it quite uneatable in the natural state. This is, however, removed by repeated washings and the residue is innoxious and nutritive.
Arisum vulgare contains crystals of calcium oxalate.
These needle-like crystals produce pain and edema when they contact lips, tongue, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, or skin.
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