Liberia w 



from a tuberous growth just apparent above the soil. Close 

 by, but appearing independently (from the underground 

 rhizome), is the inflorescence. This consists of a purple spathe 

 with a pale cream-coloured interior and a long cream-coloured 

 spadix, dotted here and there with minute blackish flowerets. 

 To this succeeds in time, by ripening, a very conspicuous 

 cluster of white seeds with black or reddish tips. The first, 

 second and third leaves of this arum, however, are very 



233. COCONUT PALMS 



difl^erent in shape and appearance from the later forms, and the 

 drawings given on pp. 558-9 show the transition in outline 

 between the simple sagittate or arrow-shaped leaf and the com- 

 plicated, much-divided cluster of leaflets represented by the 

 final leaves of the plant. This aroid exhales a rank, sickening 

 smell. 



Another prominent aroid in Liberian landscapes is the 

 Cyrtosperma. This has very handsome leaves of considerable 

 size, and tall flower-spathes which are purplish, with yellow- 

 green streaks. The Cyrtosperma is one of the commonest plants 



556 



