arum

noun ar·um \ ˈa-rəm , ˈer-əm \

Definition of arum

: any of a genus (Arum of the family Araceae, the arum family) of Eurasian plants having usually arrow-shaped leaves and a showy spathe partially enclosing a spadix; broadly : a plant of the arum family

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Recent Examples of arum from the Web

This arum thrives in partial shade or sun, so would be ideal with hostas in a partly-shaded bed.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "The colorful Italian arum pairs well with hostas," 26 Apr. 2017
Java is one of two corpse flowers, or titan arums, that have been on display in the garden's greenhouse since May 17 in a state of near bloom.

— daniel i. dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Java the corpse flower blooms, stinks, at Chicago Botanic Garden," 31 May 2017
For the fourth time in less than two years, the Garden is awaiting the putrid bloom of the titan arum – two plants named Java and Sumatra, after islands in their native Indonesia, that are now in their bloom cycle and could soon open.

— daniel i. dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Botanic Garden waits, watches for dual corpse flower bloom," 23 May 2017
Fall through winter, into early spring, a pleasant surprise in the ornamental garden is Italian arum, with its bold green leaves above the whiteness of new snow or drab colors of dormant vegetation.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "The colorful Italian arum pairs well with hostas," 26 Apr. 2017
This is the fourth time in less than two years the garden has drawn lines of visitors eager to see the rare bloom of a titan arum.

— daniel i. dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Java the corpse flower blooms, stinks, at Chicago Botanic Garden," 31 May 2017
Arum italicum is often planted with hostas, since hosta foliage fades away about the time of year that the arum is stretching its new leaves.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "The colorful Italian arum pairs well with hostas," 26 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.