Araceae |
| Mostly perennial, rarely annual. Roots mycorrhizal,
often without root haris. Leaves mostly in basal or
apical rosettes, with a membranous sheath at the base of
the petiole. Inflorescence a fleshy spike (spadix),
mostly enclosed in a large bract (spathe). Flowers small
to minute, usually densely crowded on the spadix,
bisexual, unisexual or sterile; female flowers confined
to the base of the spadix; male flowers above the
females; sterile flowers when present between the females
and the males or on apical part of the spadix. Perianth
absent or of 4-6 (-8), free or united segments. Stamens
1-8, hypogynous, free or united into a synandrium,
opposite the perianth segments, staminodes often present
in sterile or female flowers. Ovary superior or immersed
in the spadix; fruit a spongy, fleshy or leathery berry. © Christopher D.K. Cook |
