Gardeners are fortunate people, because in the endlessly diverse world of plants there is something to suit every taste and interest. While some prefer traditional cottage flower beds or gaudy tropical orchids, others are drawn to the strange and fascinating realms of those "other" plants - the insect eaters, the South African carrion flowers (stapeliads), and those masters of the bizarre, the Aroids.
Biarum marmarisense
Living among the limestone boulders and scrubby vegetation of hillsides in south west Turkey is one such aroid, though for much of the year you would not realize that it was there. A specialist in dry land survival, Biarum marmarisense endures the long, hot summers of the eastern Mediterranean by completely disappearing underground where it persists in the form of a spherical tuber.
At the end of Summer, before the Autumn rains commence, the plant finally reveals itself in all its 7 cm glory. From the ground emerges first a small, pale growing point, then over the space of a week or so this develops into a tubby, curvaceous inflorescence that, although it would not win any beauty contests, nevertheless possesses a special and rather endearing nature.
The inflated base of the inflorescence sits directly on the ground, expanding into a pale fawn or cream spathe with waved margins and speckled faintly with darker markings. Sometimes the spathe is almost erect, but often it curls to form a discreet hood over the long thin spadix, that characteristic and blatantly protuberant organ special to the aroids.
Many species of Biarum emit a warm manure-like fragrance, but in Biarum marmarisense the aroma is surprisingly sweet and pleasant. By the time the spathe begins to wither, the leaves are starting to unfurl themselves. Other biarums have lanceolate or linear foliage, but in this species the leaves are broadly oval and some, indeed, are virtually circular. These are borne on short stems and persist all winter and into the springtime, making the most of the seasonal rains before the plant prudently withdraws beneath the soil to escape the sun.
Cultivating Biarum marmarisense
Specialist nurseries around the world supply a number of Biarum species, so If this floral profile has tempted you to cultivate this little plant, you will be glad to know that it is relatively easy to please as long as a few essential rules are observed.
Some biarums can be grown in the garden and a few, given the correct treatment, will even withstand sub-zero temperatures. It is far better to grow them in pots in a cool, frost-free greenhouse, however, where their small scale charm can be appreciated.
Compost should be gritty, and free-draining, but these plants appreciate a reasonable serving of organic matter such as leaf mould in their substrate as, like many aroids, they are hungry plants during the growing season. Plant the tubers deep, and top dress the pots with a layer of horticultural grit or crushed limestone chips. Place the pots in a bright location and start watering once the first growth appears. Throughout winter, when the plants are in leaf, they can be kept moist but should never be waterlogged. Some experts recommend feeding with tomato food at every watering.
Once the leaves start to yellow, water should be withheld. A long, hot, dry rest is important for these plants and the pots should be kept completely dry until growth recommences in the autumn. Do not be surprised if only leaves emerge as many biarums only flower every other year.
Biarums can be grown from seed, but this is rarely available from commercial sources. These plants produce white or pale green berries at ground level, or sometimes even below the soil, and seed collection is consequently problematical. Fortunately, offset tubers are frequently produced in generous quantities and these can be separated in late summer, potted up and grown on in the same way as mature plants.
The Genus Biarum
For the avid "aroidophile", this fascinating genus contains in the region of 23 species with a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern distribution that overlaps that of their cousins from the genus Arum. All are small plants with spherical tubers and linear to oval foliage, but their inflorescences are considerably more varied in form than those of the arums.
Some, like Biarum bovei and Biarum tenuifolium, produce elongate maroon to near-black spathes and long black spadices; others, including Biarum marmarisense and its close relative Biarum davisii, have rotund, compressed inflorescences. One extraordinary species, the scarce Turkish Biarum ditschianum, has a comparatively huge, bulbous yellow spadix at ground level, ringed by a virtually nonexistent spathe.
These floral oddities are frequently so unobtrusive in their environment that more species are likely to be discovered. Of the known species, many were once indiscriminately collected from the wild to supply an unscrupulous horticultural trade. Fortunately, they are now being propagated from cultivated stock so that we can enjoy growing these wonderful plants with a clear conscience.
References
Alpine Garden Society: Biarum marmarisense - plant of the month Oct 2010 www.alpinegardensociety.net
Deni Bown: Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family Timber Press, Oregon: 2000: ISBN 0 88192 485 7
Peter Ashby - Peter Ashby lives near Granada in southern Spain, is an expert on natural history, and a dedicated traveller, writer and hispanist.
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