Water Arum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Water Arum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Arum hygrophilum var. albinervium
• Arum hygrophilum subsp. aurorum
• Arum hygrophilum var. maurum
• Arum hygrophilum subsp. maurum
• Arum longicyrrhum
• Arum albinervium

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Arum hygrophilum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Alismatales. Finally, it is a member of the family Araceae and falls under the genus Arum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Morocco. Its range extends significantly into Western Asia, where it can be found on the island of Cyprus. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the Levant, specifically inhabiting Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. Finally, the plant is also known to grow within the territory of Türkiye.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Arum hygrophilum is characterized by its specialized survival strategies, functioning primarily as a geophyte and a cryptophyte. As a geophyte, the plant relies on underground storage organs, such as tubers or rhizomes, to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and facilitate regrowth during favorable seasons. This underground dependency is a core component of its life cycle, allowing it to persist through periods of dormancy. Furthermore, its classification as a cryptophyte highlights its strategy of protecting its perennating buds beneath the soil surface or within organic debris, ensuring that the vital growing points remain insulated from external stressors like drought or temperature fluctuations. These combined life forms allow the species to effectively manage its energy reserves and synchronize its phenological development with the specific moisture and climatic requirements of its habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Arum hygrophilum is characterized by its diverse ecological adaptations, manifesting as an organism that can transition between aquactic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial habitats. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, maintaining its structural integrity without the need for obligatory or facultative climbing mechanisms. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, functioning entirely on its own metabolic processes without relying on host plants. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte, growing directly in soil or substrate instead of residing on other plants as an obligatory or facultative epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Arum hygrophilum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Chemicals

Arum hygrophilum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isoorientin, Vitexin, luteolin.

Isoorientin

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Vitexin

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

luteolin

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Activities

Arum hygrophilum has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiproliferative.

Antiproliferative

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Preparations

Arum hygrophilum has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract, leaf crude water and ethanol extracts.

Ethanol extract

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Leaf crude water and ethanol extracts

1. Pharmacognosy magazine