SPERMATOPHYTA ARACEAE AROIDS 



371 



i Many of the plants, as the skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus, possess 



acrid and noxious qualities. This is a native herb which is acrid and has a 



I disagreeable odor. The fleshy spadix of Monstera deliciosa of the Mexican 



Fig. 158. Common European Arum, Cuckoo-pint, or Wake-robin 

 (Arum macula htm). Leaf; spadix; longitudinal section of ovary; germina- 

 tion; longitudinal section of seed; embryo. (After Faguet.) 



Cordilleras is edible. The vegetable calomel (Acorus Calamus) is used in 

 nedicine and contains the bitter principle acorin and an alkaloid. The sweet 

 alomel is poisonous, under some conditions, causing disturbed digestion, and, 

 'ti severe cases, gastro-enteritis, persistent constipation, followed by diarrhoea 

 nd passage of blood in the feces. 



The Calla palustris, a marsh plant, has acrid properties and is used in 

 /apland with bread. The bulbs of Amorpho phallus are rich in starch and are 

 dible. The Richardia africana is frequently cultivated and used as food, a 

 larch being also made from it. The poisonous substances contained in it are 

 iemoved on roasting and boiling. In some of the fruits of aroids, like Arum 

 alicum, saponin has been found, also needle-like crystals of oxalate of lime. 

 '. maculatum is poisonous and causes severe dermatitis, paralysis, and, in the 



