Orange Candleflower Arum italicum

Basic info - Originating from Eurasia and the Mediterranean, the Orange candleflower was introduced to the US as an ornamental groundcover. It is a perennial that blooms in April and May with flowers that give off an unpleasant odor. 

Impacts - The Orange candleflower spreads aggressively in gardens and riparian areas both by seed and through daughter tubers/corms. Its main method of outcompeting native plants involves its asynchronous phenology: it emerges in fall and in early spring, dying back through the summer time. This way, it takes in more light and resources while other plants have already died back for the season, or before they can emerge. 

This plant also impacts humans and animals due to its toxicity and its ability to cause contact dermatitis (skin irritation caused by touching the plant). All parts of this plant are highly poisonous for humans, and may also be toxic to pets and livestock. 

Identification - This plant can reach about 1 1/2 feet in height with arrow-shaped leaves up to 12 inches long [1,3]. These distinctive leaves are sometimes solid green, but often have silver-gray to yellow-green showy veins. Its white blooms give way to elongated clusters of berries that mature from green to yellow to a bright orange-red. 

What can you do to help? - If you've identified an Orange Candleflower, or think you might have but aren't sure, you can report your discovery on the EDDMapS (Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System) app or website, or upload an image of it to the iNaturalist app. 

Manual removal of this plant is made difficult due to its deep, vast root networks and underground bulbs, all of which need to be removed to prevent the plant from reemerging. If removing an Orange candleflower manually, protective gloves and clothing are necessary to avoid contact dermatitis. Unfortunately, herbicides have proven themselves ineffective against this invader. 

Never compost invasive plants. 

Native alternatives to the Orange candleflower include Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis),  American alumroot (Heuchera americana), or Dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata).