Cuckoopint

(Arum maculatum L., Araceae),

Also called: Arum, Lords and Ladies, Wake Robin.

Description: Perennial plant with ovoid bulb about the size of a hazel nut, brown externally, white internally, producing in spring triangularly hastate leaves up to 25cm (10in) long with deeply incised bases.
Flowers in an inflorescence enclosed in a characteristic leafy spathe up to 15cm (6in) long, sheathing at the base and tapering to a pointed apex.
The purplish top of the inflorescence axis protrudes from the spathe. Fruits red, resembling berries.
Flowering: April, May.
Taste of leaf and stem: acrid.

Parts Used: Leaves, dried or rarely fresh; dried bulbs.

Habitat and Collection: Found in central Europe.
Frequent in England and Ireland, in woods, under hedges, etc.
Leaves are collected when the plant is in flower and are rapidly dried in the shade at a temperature not greater than 40 C (104°F).

Constituents and Action: The actions of the fresh and of the dried plants differ.
The fresh plant contains in all parts a very active but unstable substance that is irritant to the skin and mucosa and may produce blisters; the tongue is especially sensitive to the drug and swells considerably.
The dried plant or bulb are somewhat less irritant, they are mild expectorants for catarrh of the respiratory tract.

Usage: At times, for rheumatism, the bruised fresh plant is applied to the painful parts or they may be rubbed with an alcoholic extract of the fresh plant.
An infusion of the dried plant (1-2 tablespoonfuls in 0.5 litre (11 pt) of water and raise to the boil) is used for bronchial catarrh and dropsy, but. its effectiveness is doubtful.

Caution: The entire plant is poisonous, especially to children who are attracted by the red berries.