430 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



previously termed it, lords-and-ladies, is one of 

 our earlier spring plants, and perhaps one of the 

 most curious of all our wild-flowers. It is known 

 scientifically as the Amnn maculatum, or spotted 

 arum, by reason of its leaves being frequently 

 spotted with black or yellow, and it is also known 

 by various other appellations, such as arrow- 

 head, its leaves being of that shape ; arrow- 

 root and starch - root, the latter name having 

 reference to the powder obtained from the roots 

 when baked and ground a powder which is 

 said to be nutritious and to afford an excellent 

 starch, which was much in vogue for the 

 stiffening of the ruffs, coifs, and pinners formerly 

 worn by ladies. The roots also afforded a kind 

 of soap. During the Irish potato famine they 

 were baked, ground, and made into bread, for 

 which purpose they appear, by all accounts, to have 

 answered admirably. When raw, the roots are 

 not only nauseous to the taste, but said to be 

 poisonous, the scarlet berries, which are so plentiful 

 in autumn, especially so, and thence called * poison 

 berries.' Birds are able to consume them with 

 impunity, and in hard winters dig them up. 

 The banks in autumn are frequently covered 

 with the berried stalks of this plant. The starchy 

 powder prepared from the root of the wild-arum 

 was also known as Portland sago, and was an 

 article of commerce. It may be further added 

 that the roots of all the several known varieties 

 of the arum are especially pungent to the taste ; 



