2010 



A TEXTBOOK OF THEORETICAL BOTANY 



Only three occur in Britain; one, Arum maciilatiun (Fig. 1947) (Cuckoo Pint), 

 is common in woods and hedges all over the country, while A. neglectum is 



Fig. 1947. — Arum maculation. Cuckoo Pint. 

 Spathe cut open showing spadix with zone 

 of bristles, below which is a dark zone of 

 male flowers and a light zone of female 

 flowers. (See also Fig. 1955.) 



relatively rare. The third, Acorns calamus (Sweet Flag), is a rare British 

 water-plant with long sword-like leaves, reproducing generally by vegetative 

 branching of the rhizome. It is thought to have been introduced from 

 India. 



In other parts of the world, particularly in the tropics of Malaya and 

 Africa, some remarkable types with giant leaves are found, many of which 

 produce enormous flowering spathes which emit highly offensive odours 

 and are pollinated by carrion flies. Only a few are of economic importance. 



Hutchinson considers that they have originated from the Liliaceae, 

 through the tribe Aspidistreae. Older writers such as Engler and Rendle 

 relate them to the Palms. There are probably relationships with the 

 Aponogetonaceae. 



The plants are herbaceous or rarely woody, with watery or milky 

 juice, often producing tubers or elongated rhizomes: many are climbers or 

 epiphytes. The leaves are sometimes solitary, often radical and appearing 

 after the flowers. They are frequently hastate in shape with a membranous 

 sheath at the base. 



