This object is currently on display in room 212 as part of Botanical Lessons. There is one other image of this object. See our image rights statement.

 

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Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

2019

2023

  • You found it!

Arum Maculatum, 1875–1898

It is dated 1875–1898. Its medium is wood, papier-mâché, cardboard, plaster, reed pith, metal, string, feathers, gelatin, glass and bone glue beads, cloth, metallic thread, horsehair, hemp, silk threads, paint, and shellac varnish. It is a part of the department.

The Arum maculatum is known by a wide variety of names, most commonly lords-and-ladies, cuckoopint, and starchwort. The latter was likely assigned because starch can be extracted from the plant’s roots to stiffen fabrics. If eaten raw, all elements of starchwort cause severe bodily irritation, but some elements are safe for consumption if properly prepared.

It is credited Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 69.9 × 21.6 × 21.6 cm (27 1/2 × 8 1/2 × 8 1/2 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Botanical Lessons.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/2318793584/ |title=Arum Maculatum, 1875–1898 |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=10 June 2023 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>