deer eat Arisaema?

[Jean Halverson]

Al Wootten wrote:

> I had dinner Saturday with a friend who consults on the subject of
> deer-resistant gardening.  She didn't have any idea if the Arisaemae were
> deer-resistant, though.  Are Arisaemae as distasteful raw as many other
> aroids?  Are they deer-resistant?

The deer don't bother my plants too much except in winter--corn & hay fields adjoin my
land.  They occasionally brouse through the woods & pick off the bloom stalks of
plants--curiousity I think.  I have never noticed damage from deer to triphyllum or
dracontium which are the only ones I have outside at this time.  The corm has the
substance (alkaloids or whatever) that causes severe irritation & so apparently do the
seeds.  People cleaning seeds are warned about irritations but I have never had any
problem.   I would guess that the stalks and leaves probably have the same properties
but I'm not curious enough to taste-test them!

Other members who have more deer problems in the spring & summer may be able to answer
better if they leave Arisaema alone.

Jean  sw Wisconsin