Bot. Pl. -s. Also 6–8 aron; cf. AARON2 [L., a. Gr. ἄρον (also formerly in Eng. use).] A genus of endogenous plants (N.O. Araceæ), the inflorescence of which consists of a large spathe, enclosing a fleshy spike or spadix bearing on its lower part the unisexual flowers succeeded by bright-colored berries; one species, the Wake-robin, Cuckoo-pint, or Lords and Ladies (A. Maculatum), is a native of Britain.
1551. Turner, Herbal, I. 44. Of aron or cockow pynt.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1615), 30. The old Bears … do eat the hearb Arum, commonly called in English Wake-robbin or Calves-foot.
1769. Sir J. Hill, Fam. Herbal (1812), 13. Aron is an excellent medicine in palsies.
1834. Mary Howitt, Spring, in Sk. Nat. Hist. (1851), 83. Here too the spotted Arum green, A hooded mystery, is seen.
1866. Masters, in Treas. Bot., 97/1. The common Arum of the hedges … From the tubers of this plant, in the Isle of Portland, a starch called Portland Arrowroot was formerly extensively prepared.
b. attrib. Esp. in Arum lily (Richardia æthiopica): an arad with a pure white spathe and brilliant yellow spadix, a favorite ornamental flower in drawing-rooms.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physic, 183/2. Take Aron roote.
1821. Clare, Village Minstr., I. 98. When April first Unclos’d the arum-leaves.
1856. Miss Mulock, J. Halifax, 230. Gathering for her a magnificent arum lily.
