Arum maculatum

Dormant from late summer through to the middle of winter, this plant then puts forth clean looking lush green leaves. It has large leaves, officially described as being 'hastate' meaning rather arrow shaped with rear lobes somewhat spreading. The leaves can carry purple spotting. It sends up a flowering spathe during April and this takes the form of a tall hood, at the centre of which is the columnar spadix that is pale green and may have spots in shades of purple or pink or white. There are scarlet fruiting columns during August and September which are generally eaten and dispersed by birds. Flies are attracted to the flower by the faecal smell, and carry the pollen hence. This plant, found growing in woods and hedgerows, grows to around 40cm (16in) with a 30cm (12in) spread.