Dracunculus vulgaris One of those plants that you cannot ignore! It starts its growth in the spring with a spike emerging from the soil, strikingly and beautifully mottled. From this the pinnate leaves emerge, up to a metre tall, followed by the huge, purple arum flower. To a passing fly it has a delightful scent, but humans liken it to rotting meat, so don't let your nose get too close to it, nor should you keep it in an enclosed space.