One of the most notable features of the British Arum is the quite remarkable number of names that it has attracted to itself. Due no doubt to its distinctive shape, the Wild Arum has garnered more English names than possibly any other British plant. A great many are twin names such as ‘Lords and Ladies’ or ‘Stallions & Mares’; referring to the different parts of the plant’s ‘flower’. In a similar vein, many are overtly sexual in their nature, even if that is not so obvious to us today when the original meaning of the words has faded away. Many are startlingly similar even when hailing from different parts of the country.
The binomial Latin name we use today; Arum Maculatum, officially became the plant’s name only after 1753, when Linnaeus used it in his Species Planetarum. Prior to this, the name Arum was used to describe what we now define as many different species. Regarding the origin of the plant’s family name, there have been a range of suggestions. The word Arum itself is simply the Anglicised version of the Greek Aron, which can often be seen in the ancient herbals from Dioscorides onwards. A common suggestion as to the derivation of this name is that Aron is derived from the Arabic word ‘ar’ meaning ‘fire’, relating to the caustic taste of the leaves of many of the plants in the Arum family. Aron is in fact the ancient Egyptian name for the plant but the word Aron in Egyptian is often used to signify ‘Light’ (in a sacred sense). As light and fire are often mythologically and linguistically linked it is possible that the Egyptian name for this plant informed the derivation of the Greek and Latin nomencalture and from which the use of the word Arum eventually evolved.
In contrast, the specific of its Latin name; Maculatum, simply means ‘spotted’ or ‘marked’ and identifies the English plant from the many other species found around Europe and the Tropics.
It is the English or ‘common’ names however which mark this plant out as something special. In contrast to the scientific naming, which seeks to weed out variety and inventiveness, the common names are a riot of individual and regional creativity, straight talking, bawdy sexuality and political satire. In them can be seen a linguistic record of the plant’s place in our lives and the the symbolism it has held for us. The rise of industry, the influence of the church and our changing social norms are all reflected in the names we have given to it.
The hooded green cowl embracing an upright red poker has such obvious sexual symbolism that it would be remarkable if the plant had not gathered such a collection of salacious titles. Pintle, Pint and Point are all derived from the Anglo Saxon word for penis, cuckoo from cucu meaning lively, robin from the French for cock and the various dog’s type names are equally obvious in their phallic reference. Stallions and Mares, Bulls and Cows as well as Lords and Ladies allude to its male/female nature.
Some names contain a warning, such as Adders Meat or Adder’s Victuals; informing of its worthlessness as a food plant. Other names reflect it’s use in industry such as Buckram, Starchwort, and Portland Starch which tell of it’s use as a source of stiffening agent. Kings and Queens is said to refer to the different colours of the plant reflecting the different colours which royalty wore in Elizabethan times. The names beginning with ‘Parson and …’ and ‘Devil’s…’ reflect a satirical view of local churchmen and the growing influence of the church’s teachings respectively. Victorian inhibitions bestowed disguised sexual references and portrayed the then popular fascination with fairies. In all, over 100 names have been recorded; a number which must be the highest for any British plant.
That it doesn’t appear to be any different in mainland Europe is illustrated by this extract from ‘The Names of Herbes’, by W Turner in 1538:
“Arum is called in greke aron, in english cuckopintell, Wake robin or Rampe, in duche Psaffen bynde, in frenche, Vidchaen, the poticarie calleth it Pes vituli, serpentaria minor, luph minus, groweth in euery hedge almost in englande aboute townes in the sprynge of the yere.”
Below is a list of the English common names for Arum Maculatum.
The binomial Latin name we use today; Arum Maculatum, officially became the plant’s name only after 1753, when Linnaeus used it in his Species Planetarum. Prior to this, the name Arum was used to describe what we now define as many different species. Regarding the origin of the plant’s family name, there have been a range of suggestions. The word Arum itself is simply the Anglicised version of the Greek Aron, which can often be seen in the ancient herbals from Dioscorides onwards. A common suggestion as to the derivation of this name is that Aron is derived from the Arabic word ‘ar’ meaning ‘fire’, relating to the caustic taste of the leaves of many of the plants in the Arum family. Aron is in fact the ancient Egyptian name for the plant but the word Aron in Egyptian is often used to signify ‘Light’ (in a sacred sense). As light and fire are often mythologically and linguistically linked it is possible that the Egyptian name for this plant informed the derivation of the Greek and Latin nomencalture and from which the use of the word Arum eventually evolved.
In contrast, the specific of its Latin name; Maculatum, simply means ‘spotted’ or ‘marked’ and identifies the English plant from the many other species found around Europe and the Tropics.
It is the English or ‘common’ names however which mark this plant out as something special. In contrast to the scientific naming, which seeks to weed out variety and inventiveness, the common names are a riot of individual and regional creativity, straight talking, bawdy sexuality and political satire. In them can be seen a linguistic record of the plant’s place in our lives and the the symbolism it has held for us. The rise of industry, the influence of the church and our changing social norms are all reflected in the names we have given to it.
The hooded green cowl embracing an upright red poker has such obvious sexual symbolism that it would be remarkable if the plant had not gathered such a collection of salacious titles. Pintle, Pint and Point are all derived from the Anglo Saxon word for penis, cuckoo from cucu meaning lively, robin from the French for cock and the various dog’s type names are equally obvious in their phallic reference. Stallions and Mares, Bulls and Cows as well as Lords and Ladies allude to its male/female nature.
Some names contain a warning, such as Adders Meat or Adder’s Victuals; informing of its worthlessness as a food plant. Other names reflect it’s use in industry such as Buckram, Starchwort, and Portland Starch which tell of it’s use as a source of stiffening agent. Kings and Queens is said to refer to the different colours of the plant reflecting the different colours which royalty wore in Elizabethan times. The names beginning with ‘Parson and …’ and ‘Devil’s…’ reflect a satirical view of local churchmen and the growing influence of the church’s teachings respectively. Victorian inhibitions bestowed disguised sexual references and portrayed the then popular fascination with fairies. In all, over 100 names have been recorded; a number which must be the highest for any British plant.
That it doesn’t appear to be any different in mainland Europe is illustrated by this extract from ‘The Names of Herbes’, by W Turner in 1538:
“Arum is called in greke aron, in english cuckopintell, Wake robin or Rampe, in duche Psaffen bynde, in frenche, Vidchaen, the poticarie calleth it Pes vituli, serpentaria minor, luph minus, groweth in euery hedge almost in englande aboute townes in the sprynge of the yere.”
Below is a list of the English common names for Arum Maculatum.
Aaron (Eland).
Aaron’s Leek (Anglo-Saxon Leechbook)
Adam & Eve (Grigson/Somerset, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire).
Adder's Food (Grigson/Somerset).
Adder's Meat (Grigson/Cornwall, Devon, Somerset).
Adder's Root (Grieve).
Adder's Tongue (Grigson/Cornwall, Somerset).
Angels & Devils (Grigson/Somerset)
Aron (Grigson/Scotland).
Arum (generic name in numerous historical sources)
Arum Lily (Eland).
Arus (Grete Herball of 1526)
Babe in the Cradle (Grigson/Somerset).
Barba-aron (Culpeper).
Bloody Fingers (Grigson/Hampshire).
Bloody Man's Finger (Grigson/Somerset, Worcestershire).
Bobbin & Joan (Grigson/Cornwall).
Bobbing Jane (Eland).
Bobbins (Grieve).
Boys and Girls (Eland).
Brown Dragons, (Eland).
Buckrams, [buckram was a stiffener like starch] (Coles)
Bullocks (Grigson/Somerset).
Bulls & Cows (Grigson/Somerset, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire).
Bulls & Wheys [whey means a heifer or cow], (Grigson/Yorkshire).
Bulls (Grigson/Dorset).
Calfsfoot (Eland).
Calves Foot (Culpeper. Grigson/Somerset).
Cobbler’s Thumb (Eland).
Cocky Baby (Grigson/Isle of White).
Cocky baby, (Eland).
Cow’s parsnip, (Eland).
Cows & Calves (Grigson/Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Lake District).
Cows & Kies (Grigson/Yorkshire).
Cows and Bulls (Eland).
Cow's Parsnip (Grigson/Somerset).
Cuckoo Cock (Grigson/Essex).
Cuckoo Flower (Grigson/Northamptonshire).
Cuckoo Pint [pronounced to rhyme with mint rather than 'pint' as in beer, this is from the anglo saxon word pintle, meaning penis], (Culpeper. Grieve. Grigson/Sussex, East Anglia, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire).
Cuckoo Point (Grigson/Yorkshire).
Cuckoo Flower (Eland).
Cuckowe Pyntyll (Grete Herball of 1526)
Cypress Powder (Eland).
Dead Man's Fingers (Grigson/Worcestershire).
Devils & Angels (Grigson/Dorset, Somerset).
Devil's Men & Women (Grigson/Shropshire).
Devil’s Ladies and Gentleman (Thiselton-Dyer)
Devils, (Eland).
Dog Bobbins (Grigson/Northamptonshire).
Dog Cocks (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Dog’s Dick (Eland).
Dogs Dibble (Grigson/Devon).
Dog's Spear (Grigson/Somerset).
Dogs Tassel (Grigson/Somserset).
Dragon Root (Eland).
English Passionflower (Fernie).
Fairies (Grigson/Somerset).
Fairy Lamps (Mabey/East Anglian Fens)
Fly Catcher (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Friar's Cowl (Grieve).
Frog's Meat (Grigson/Dorset).
Gaglee (Eland).
Gentleman's Finger (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Gentlemen & Ladies (Grigson/Oxfordshire)
Gentlemen's & Ladies' Fingers (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Gethsemane (Fernie).
Great Dragon (Grigson).
Hobble-Gobbles (Grigson/Kent).
Hooded Aron (Salmon).
Hooded Cuckoe Pint (Salmon).
Jack in the Box (Grigson/Somerset, Buckinhamshire, Northern Ireland).
Jack in the Green (Grigson/Somerset).
Jack in the Pulpit (Grigson/Cornwall, Somerset, Lincolnshire).
Janus (Culpeper).
Kings & Queens (Grieve).
Kings & Queens (Grigson/Somerset, Lincolnshire, Durham).
Kitty-come-down-the-lane (Eland).
Kitty-Come-Down-The-Lane-Jump-Up-And-Kiss-Me (Grigson/Kent).
Knights & Ladies (Grigson/Somerset).
Aaron’s Leek (Anglo-Saxon Leechbook)
Adam & Eve (Grigson/Somerset, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire).
Adder's Food (Grigson/Somerset).
Adder's Meat (Grigson/Cornwall, Devon, Somerset).
Adder's Root (Grieve).
Adder's Tongue (Grigson/Cornwall, Somerset).
Angels & Devils (Grigson/Somerset)
Aron (Grigson/Scotland).
Arum (generic name in numerous historical sources)
Arum Lily (Eland).
Arus (Grete Herball of 1526)
Babe in the Cradle (Grigson/Somerset).
Barba-aron (Culpeper).
Bloody Fingers (Grigson/Hampshire).
Bloody Man's Finger (Grigson/Somerset, Worcestershire).
Bobbin & Joan (Grigson/Cornwall).
Bobbing Jane (Eland).
Bobbins (Grieve).
Boys and Girls (Eland).
Brown Dragons, (Eland).
Buckrams, [buckram was a stiffener like starch] (Coles)
Bullocks (Grigson/Somerset).
Bulls & Cows (Grigson/Somerset, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire).
Bulls & Wheys [whey means a heifer or cow], (Grigson/Yorkshire).
Bulls (Grigson/Dorset).
Calfsfoot (Eland).
Calves Foot (Culpeper. Grigson/Somerset).
Cobbler’s Thumb (Eland).
Cocky Baby (Grigson/Isle of White).
Cocky baby, (Eland).
Cow’s parsnip, (Eland).
Cows & Calves (Grigson/Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Lake District).
Cows & Kies (Grigson/Yorkshire).
Cows and Bulls (Eland).
Cow's Parsnip (Grigson/Somerset).
Cuckoo Cock (Grigson/Essex).
Cuckoo Flower (Grigson/Northamptonshire).
Cuckoo Pint [pronounced to rhyme with mint rather than 'pint' as in beer, this is from the anglo saxon word pintle, meaning penis], (Culpeper. Grieve. Grigson/Sussex, East Anglia, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire).
Cuckoo Point (Grigson/Yorkshire).
Cuckoo Flower (Eland).
Cuckowe Pyntyll (Grete Herball of 1526)
Cypress Powder (Eland).
Dead Man's Fingers (Grigson/Worcestershire).
Devils & Angels (Grigson/Dorset, Somerset).
Devil's Men & Women (Grigson/Shropshire).
Devil’s Ladies and Gentleman (Thiselton-Dyer)
Devils, (Eland).
Dog Bobbins (Grigson/Northamptonshire).
Dog Cocks (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Dog’s Dick (Eland).
Dogs Dibble (Grigson/Devon).
Dog's Spear (Grigson/Somerset).
Dogs Tassel (Grigson/Somserset).
Dragon Root (Eland).
English Passionflower (Fernie).
Fairies (Grigson/Somerset).
Fairy Lamps (Mabey/East Anglian Fens)
Fly Catcher (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Friar's Cowl (Grieve).
Frog's Meat (Grigson/Dorset).
Gaglee (Eland).
Gentleman's Finger (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Gentlemen & Ladies (Grigson/Oxfordshire)
Gentlemen's & Ladies' Fingers (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Gethsemane (Fernie).
Great Dragon (Grigson).
Hobble-Gobbles (Grigson/Kent).
Hooded Aron (Salmon).
Hooded Cuckoe Pint (Salmon).
Jack in the Box (Grigson/Somerset, Buckinhamshire, Northern Ireland).
Jack in the Green (Grigson/Somerset).
Jack in the Pulpit (Grigson/Cornwall, Somerset, Lincolnshire).
Janus (Culpeper).
Kings & Queens (Grieve).
Kings & Queens (Grigson/Somerset, Lincolnshire, Durham).
Kitty-come-down-the-lane (Eland).
Kitty-Come-Down-The-Lane-Jump-Up-And-Kiss-Me (Grigson/Kent).
Knights & Ladies (Grigson/Somerset).
Ladies & Gentlemen (Grigson/Denbigshire).
Ladies & Gentlemen (Grigson/Somerset, Wiltshire, Kent, Northamptonshire, Shropshire).
Ladies' Lords (Grigson/Kent).
Lady's Finger (Grigson/Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Kent).
Lady's Keys (Grigson/Kent).
Lady's Slipper (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Lady's Smock (Grigson/Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire).
Lamb’s Lakens (Eland).
Lamb-In-A-Pulpit (Grigson/Devon, Wiltshire).
Lambs Lakens [I.e toys] (Grigson/Northamptonshire, Northumbria, North England).
Lilly (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Lilly Grass (Grigson/Sussex).
Lily (Eland).
Long Purples (Grigson/Warwickshire).
Lords & Ladies (general name).
Lords' & Ladies' Fingers (Grigson/Warwickshire).
Lords & Ladies Cuckoopint (Eland).
Man In The Pulpit (Grigson/Somerset).
Mandrake (Grigson/Yorkshire).
Man in the Pulpit (Eland).
Men & Women (Grigson/Somerset).
Moll of the Woods (Grigson/Warwickshire).
Naked ladies, (Eland).
Nightingale (Grigson/Essex).
Old Man's Pulpit (Grigson/Somerset).
Oxberry (Grigson/Worcestershire).
Parisian Cypress (Eland).
Parson & Clerk (Grieve).
Parson in his Pulpit (Grigson/Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Cheshire, Yorkshire).
Parson in his Smock (Grigson/Lincolnshire).
Parson's Billycock (county unknown though Grigson refers to Shakespear's King Lear).
Passion & Clerk (Grigson/Devon. Somerset).
Passion Flower (Eland).
Pidyn y Gog (Welsh), (Eland).
Pintle, Pitouais (Channel Islander-Jersey Norman-French), (Eland).
Poison Fingers (Grigson/Dorset).
Poison Root (Eland).
Pokers (Grigson/Somerset).
Pokers (Eland).
Portland Arrowroot (Eland).
Portland Sago (Fernie).
Portland Starch Plant (Eland).
Preacher in the Pulpit (Grigson/Somerset).
Prestes Hood (Grete Herball of 1526)
Priest in the Pulpit (Grigson/Somerset).
Priest’s Hood (Treveris).
Priest’s Pilly (Eland).
Priestes Pyntill (Lyte 1578)
Priesties (Grigson/Lancashire).
Priesties (Eland).
Priest's Pilly (Grigson/Westmorland').
Priest's Pintle (Grigson/Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Durham, Cumbria).
Quaker (Grieve).
Ramp of Aron (Turner).
Rampe (Turner/Culpeper/Grieve).
Ram's Horn (Grigson/Sussex).
Ramsons (Grigson/Cumbria).
Red Hot Poker (Grigson/Somerset).
Serpentaria Minor (Turner)
School Master (Grigson/Sussex).
Shiners (Mabey/East Anglian Fens).
Silly Lovers (Grigson/Somerset).
Small Dragon (Grigson/Sussex).
Snake's Food (Grigson/Devon, Somerset).
Snake's Meat (Grigson/Devon).
Snake's Victuals (Grigson/Wiltshire, Gloucestershire).
Soldier in a Sentry Box (Mabey).
Soldiers & Angels (Grigson/Devon).
Soldiers & Sailors (Grigson/Somerset).
Soldiers (Grigson/Somerset).
Stallions & Mares (Grigson/Lincolnshire, Yorkshire).
Stallions (Grigson/Lincolnshire).
Stallions (Eland).
Standing Gusses (Grigson).
Starch Flower (Eland).
Starch Plant (Eland).
Starchwort (Culpeper. Gerard's Herbal)
Starchwort Arum (Eland).
Sucky Calves (Grigson).
Sweathearts (Grigson/Somerset).
Toad's Meat (Grigson/Cornwall).
Wake Robin (Culpeper. Grieve).
Wake Robyn (Lyte 1578)
White & Red (Eland).
Wild Arum, (Eland).
Willy Lilly (Mabey)
Ladies & Gentlemen (Grigson/Somerset, Wiltshire, Kent, Northamptonshire, Shropshire).
Ladies' Lords (Grigson/Kent).
Lady's Finger (Grigson/Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Kent).
Lady's Keys (Grigson/Kent).
Lady's Slipper (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Lady's Smock (Grigson/Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire).
Lamb’s Lakens (Eland).
Lamb-In-A-Pulpit (Grigson/Devon, Wiltshire).
Lambs Lakens [I.e toys] (Grigson/Northamptonshire, Northumbria, North England).
Lilly (Grigson/Wiltshire).
Lilly Grass (Grigson/Sussex).
Lily (Eland).
Long Purples (Grigson/Warwickshire).
Lords & Ladies (general name).
Lords' & Ladies' Fingers (Grigson/Warwickshire).
Lords & Ladies Cuckoopint (Eland).
Man In The Pulpit (Grigson/Somerset).
Mandrake (Grigson/Yorkshire).
Man in the Pulpit (Eland).
Men & Women (Grigson/Somerset).
Moll of the Woods (Grigson/Warwickshire).
Naked ladies, (Eland).
Nightingale (Grigson/Essex).
Old Man's Pulpit (Grigson/Somerset).
Oxberry (Grigson/Worcestershire).
Parisian Cypress (Eland).
Parson & Clerk (Grieve).
Parson in his Pulpit (Grigson/Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Cheshire, Yorkshire).
Parson in his Smock (Grigson/Lincolnshire).
Parson's Billycock (county unknown though Grigson refers to Shakespear's King Lear).
Passion & Clerk (Grigson/Devon. Somerset).
Passion Flower (Eland).
Pidyn y Gog (Welsh), (Eland).
Pintle, Pitouais (Channel Islander-Jersey Norman-French), (Eland).
Poison Fingers (Grigson/Dorset).
Poison Root (Eland).
Pokers (Grigson/Somerset).
Pokers (Eland).
Portland Arrowroot (Eland).
Portland Sago (Fernie).
Portland Starch Plant (Eland).
Preacher in the Pulpit (Grigson/Somerset).
Prestes Hood (Grete Herball of 1526)
Priest in the Pulpit (Grigson/Somerset).
Priest’s Hood (Treveris).
Priest’s Pilly (Eland).
Priestes Pyntill (Lyte 1578)
Priesties (Grigson/Lancashire).
Priesties (Eland).
Priest's Pilly (Grigson/Westmorland').
Priest's Pintle (Grigson/Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Durham, Cumbria).
Quaker (Grieve).
Ramp of Aron (Turner).
Rampe (Turner/Culpeper/Grieve).
Ram's Horn (Grigson/Sussex).
Ramsons (Grigson/Cumbria).
Red Hot Poker (Grigson/Somerset).
Serpentaria Minor (Turner)
School Master (Grigson/Sussex).
Shiners (Mabey/East Anglian Fens).
Silly Lovers (Grigson/Somerset).
Small Dragon (Grigson/Sussex).
Snake's Food (Grigson/Devon, Somerset).
Snake's Meat (Grigson/Devon).
Snake's Victuals (Grigson/Wiltshire, Gloucestershire).
Soldier in a Sentry Box (Mabey).
Soldiers & Angels (Grigson/Devon).
Soldiers & Sailors (Grigson/Somerset).
Soldiers (Grigson/Somerset).
Stallions & Mares (Grigson/Lincolnshire, Yorkshire).
Stallions (Grigson/Lincolnshire).
Stallions (Eland).
Standing Gusses (Grigson).
Starch Flower (Eland).
Starch Plant (Eland).
Starchwort (Culpeper. Gerard's Herbal)
Starchwort Arum (Eland).
Sucky Calves (Grigson).
Sweathearts (Grigson/Somerset).
Toad's Meat (Grigson/Cornwall).
Wake Robin (Culpeper. Grieve).
Wake Robyn (Lyte 1578)
White & Red (Eland).
Wild Arum, (Eland).
Willy Lilly (Mabey)