Eminium spiculatum (Blume) Schott

• Genus: Eminium
• Botanical Background: Described as Arum spiculatum by Carl Ludwig Blume in 1836; genus Eminium was erected by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott in 1855 with E. spiculatum as the type species

• Geographical Range: Occurs on coastal plains, mid‑elevation mountains and the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, extending through the Levant into northern Iran.
• Environment: Thrives in open fields, waste ground and rocky soils; tolerates well‑drained, poor substrates in Mediterranean climates.

Leaves

• Petiolate leaves
• Petiole sheathing and often purplish
• Early leaves entire, later leaves divided into secondary segments

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Spathe has a tubular base equal in length to the lamina
• Outer surface pale with brown veins, inner surface blackish‑brown and granulated
• Spadix appendix short and black

Growth Habit

• Terrestrial perennial; grows from a globular corm; typically up to 0.3 m tall

Light Requirements

• Full sun to partial shade, mimicking its open‑field habitat

Watering & Humidity

• Moderate, consistent moisture; corm rot can occur if waterlogged

Soil & Potting Mix

• Well‑drained, rocky or sandy mix; avoid heavy, water‑retentive media

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Hardy to UK zone 8 (down to about –12 °C)

Division and Cuttings

• Lift and divide corms in dormancy to create new plants

Seeds

• Possible in spring under warm, moist conditions; less common in cultivation

Typical Issues

• Aphids may infest young shoots; monitor and treat early
• Root Rots from poor drainage and prolonged soil saturation

Treatment Recommendations

• Spray foliage with insecticidal soap or neem oil emulsion every 7–14 days
• Repot in fresh, well‑draining mix after trimming diseased roots

• Consumed by Egyptian Bedouins after boiling to neutralize calcium oxalate irritants

• Contains proteolytic enzymes and glycosides with reported anti‑inflammatory and anticancer properties
• Traditional use for rheumatism and respiratory ailments

Wild Population Status

• No global conservation assessment is published

Market Availability

• Regionally stable across its native range and is rarely offered outside specialist geophyte collections