Best Bets: Plants Tried and True Native Plants for Particular Uses To Replace Invasive Plants in the Mid-Atlantic INVASIVE PLANT: Italian Arum (Arum italicum) This perennial, native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa and noted for its winter display of leaves and striking orange-red summer fruit, was originally introduced to the U. S. as an ornamental plant. It is currently considered as a noxious weed in the Northwest and is reported as invasive in Northern Virginia, neighboring counties in Maryland, and Rock Creek National Park. Problems Italian Arum & Jack-in-the-Pulpit Invades riparian forest areas, threatening plant diversity with its rampant spread Causes increased erosion and slope instability along streambanks Emerges in fall, taking advantage of light when other plants are dying back In a mild winter, can stay green for three seasons Animals and birds are chief method of dispersal from home gardens May spread by running water from flooding Can spread through soil disturbance and improper disposal of underground corms All parts toxic, causing skin irritation upon contact and death if consumed Hard to control, herbicides do not kill tubers Desired Characteristics Perennial with striking foliage and/or fruit Native Alternatives Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit) Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) Heuchera americana (Alumroot) Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Spurge) Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple) developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free, Quarry Shade Garden, and Elaine Mills, National Arboretum Virginia Cooperative Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all regardless of race, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal affirmative action employer. .