Sauromatum venosum (Aiton) Kunth (syn.: S. guttatum (Wallich) Schott) (Himalayas) – A very rare escape from cultivation (or relic or throw-out), but apparently increasing. Discovered in woodland by a riverlet (on dredged soil) in Diepenbeek (Dauteweyers) in 2010 (scattered specimens, apparently well-established; confirmed in 2014) (see also: http://waarnemingen.be/waarneming/view/50414658). In 2010 furthermore seen in Logbiermé (Troisponts). Since then also observed in, for instance, Maaseik, Schoten and Zutendaal. Similar records in neighbouring countries appear to be very rare. However, Sauromatum venosum was recently discovered in a wood margin in Germany (Gausmann 2008). In Diepenbeek Sauromatum venosum was initially confused with Dracunculus vulgaris (both with pedately divided leaves, purplish mottled leaf stalks, etc.). However, in Sauromatum the lower part of the spathe is fused and appears as a closed tube, whereas in Dracunculus the margins of the lower part of the spathe are overlapping but free.
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Selected literature:
Gausmann P. (2008) Ein spontanes Vorkommen der Eidechsenwurz (Sauromatum venosum (Ait.) Kunth) im Ruhrgebiet. Flor. Rundbr. 41: 1-5.