Image - Flickr / Anita Gould
If you are in Spain, it is likely that you have ever come across the plant that I am going to tell you about next. Its scientific name is Arisarum simorrhinum, and although its size is small, it has very curious flowers.
It grows in the shade of olive groves, in clay soils, although it can also be found in rocky areas. Do you want to know more about it?
Origin and characteristics
Popularly called arísaro, minor dragontea, candil or candilillos, It is a perennial rhizomatous and tuberculous herb native to the temperate regions of the Iberian Peninsula, northwestern Africa and southern France. The leaves are sagittate or cordate, green in color and with a greenish or purple petiole.
The flowers, which sprout from November to February, are formed by a spathe tube inflated at the bottom, light brown or whitish in color, which is tinged red on the nerves. The spadix contains 2 to 10 male flowers along with the female ones.
What uses does it have?
Well, it is not a plant that is usually cultivated as an ornamental 🙂, but It is known to have active principles, such as coniin, which in low doses makes the Arisarum simorrhinum can be used as medicinal. In fact, the rhizome is a good stimulant, the root has sedative effects, and the leaf plaster serves to better heal wounds.
However it is important to bear in mind that these same principles are also toxic, so you have to handle it very carefully. Before starting any treatment it is necessary to consult a doctor, as there is a risk of overdose.
What did you think of this herb? Without a doubt, it is one of the peculiar ones that we can find in the field, don't you think? Moreover, if you are lucky enough to grow in your garden ... I would personally tell you not to remove it, because it is always interesting to have native plants (here you have information about it).