20 



ARROW-ARUM 



BOTANICAL 



Arrow-arum (Peltandra virginica) is widely distributed in the 

 East and is particularly plentiful in fresher parts of tidewater sec- 

 tions of streams and bays along the Atlantic Coast. It is a coarse 

 perennial that spreads mainly by means of its fleshy-coated seed- 

 like berries. Its large arrow-shaped leaves can be distinguished 

 from those of arrowheads and pickerelweed by the fact that the 

 latter two have all their main veins radiating from one point near 

 the base of the blade whereas in arrow-arum, several main veins 

 branch out from the midrib. Another species of arrow-arum, 

 P. glauca, having a white spathe and red berries, is restricted to 

 the South. 



IMPORTANCE 



The large seedlike berries are eaten by wood ducks, and this 

 may explain the local name duck-corn. In many places it is a 

 weed, using space that could be occupied by more desirable plants. 



CONTROL 



Complete spraying of foliage with 2,4-D (either salt or ester) at 

 a concentration of 6 pounds per acre during the flowering and early 

 fruiting period has given efl^ective control in Delaware. In that 

 State, the most susceptible stage occurs in the first half of June. 



REFERENCE 



1954. The Marshes of Delaware, Their Improvement and Presei-vation (p. 34). 

 John H. Steenis and others. Del. Board of Game and Fish Comm. 



