Green arrow arum (Peltandra virginica, H.W.Schott & S.L.Endlicher, Melet. Bot.: 19 (1832))

Family: Araceae

Author: (L.) Schott

Bibliography: H.W.Schott & S.L.Endlicher, Melet. Bot.: 19 (1832)

Year: 1832

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Peltandra

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A., Cuba

Description

Green arrow arum, scientifically known as Peltandra virginica, is a remarkable plant from the family Araceae. This elegant species boasts broad, arrow-shaped leaves that lend it its common name. The leafy structures are characteristically lush, contributing to the plant’s aesthetic appeal in natural and cultivated settings.

The species has a historical botanical reference dating back to 1832, when it was documented by botanists H.W. Schott and S.L. Endlicher in “Melet. Bot.” (referenced on page 19). The plant’s scientific authority designation, (L.) Schott, acknowledges Carl Linnaeus, whose original classification was later revised by Schott.

Geographically, Green arrow arum is native to a vast region, ranging from Eastern Canada down through the Central and Eastern United States and further extending its reach into Cuba. This extensive distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability and environmental resilience.

Green arrow arum contributes significantly to wetland ecosystems where it commonly thrives. Its presence often indicates healthy water systems, as it typically grows in marshy areas, along stream banks, and in other moist, shaded locations. This plant is not only valued for its ornamental properties but also for its ecological role, providing habitat and nourishment for various wildlife species.

In summary, Peltandra virginica, or Green arrow arum, is a botanically and ecologically important species with a broad North American and Cuban presence. It stands out for its striking appearance and its crucial role in sustaining wetland environments.

Common Names

Eng: arrow arum, green arrow arum, poison arum, tuckahoe, virginia peltandra
Deu: grüner pfeilaron
Fra: peltandre, peltandre de virginie, peltandre de virginie sous-espèce de virginie
Swe: pilkalla
En: Green arrow arum, Green Arrow-Arum, VIRGINIA PELTANDRA, Arrow arum, Poison arum, Tuckahoe
Fr: Peltandre, Peltandre de Virginie, Peltandre de virginie sous-espèce de virginie
De: Grüner Pfeilaron
Sv: Pilkalla

Synonyms

• Caladium virginicum ((L.) Hook.)
• Calla virginica ((L.) Michx.)
• Arum virginicum (L.)
• Peltandra latifolia (Raf.)
• Peltandra virginica var. heterophylla ((Raf.) Tidestr.)
• Peltandra virginica f. latifolia ((Raf.) S.F.Blake)
• Peltandra virginica f. rotundata (S.F.Blake)
• Peltandra virginica subsp. luteospadix ((Fernald) W.H.Blackw. & K.P.Blackw.)
• Peltandra virginica f. hastifolia (S.F.Blake)
• Peltandra virginica f. heterophylla ((Raf.) S.F.Blake)
• Lecontia virginica ((L.) Torr.)
• Arum walteri (Elliott)
• Peltandra canadensis (Raf.)
• Peltandra angustifolia (Raf.)
• Rensselaeria virginica ((L.) L.C.Beck)
• Peltandra virginica f. brachyota (S.F.Blake)
• Peltandra heterophylla (Raf.)
• Peltandra undulata (Schott)
• Peltandra hastata (Raf.)
• Peltandra tharpii (F.A.Barkley)
• Peltandra virginica f. angustifolia ((Raf.) S.F.Blake)
• Peltandra walteri ((Elliott) Raf.)
• Peltandra virginica var. angustifolia ((Raf.) Tidestr.)
• Peltandra luteospadix (Fernald)
• Caladium undulatum (Steud.)
• Alocasia virginica ((L.) Raf.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• California (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2021 by Cristina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2021 by ankita s (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2018 by gemini11 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2020 by austin liebler (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by EOL − yaoshawn (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Miguel Andrade (public)

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by EOL − yaoshawn (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 16, 2014 by EOL − Rolling Meadows Farm (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 8, 2019 by that’s someguy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Niehaus, T.F. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2012 by EOL − Ken-ichi Ueda (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 26, 2020 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2020 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 27, 2020 by Kelvin Barreto De Carvalho Kelvin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. (public)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5330182)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:87608-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Peltandra virginica (L.) Schott)

Specifications

Growth form>: Bunch

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth rate>: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.8

Ph minimum: 5.0