Biarum
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Biarum is a genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family. It is composed of about 23 species of plants that are endemic to the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. Biarum are often found growing in rock crevices and graveled soil composed largely of limestone.
The leaves of Biarum can be similar to grass or even oval. Their corms are spherical and the plants as a whole tend to be small. Many Biarum are quite similar in appearance to Arums. To flower Biarum require a dry rest period during summer. Their inflorescence tend to grow close to the ground and produce an extremely intense and unpleasant odor. The fruits produced tend to be camouflaged so as to resemble stones. Its not entirely known how they are dispersed, but one idea is that they have evolved to avoid seed dispersal since doing so in such inhospitable environments might not be conducive to its reproduction.
[edit] References
Bown, Deni (2000). Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family. Timber Press. ISBN 0881924857.
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