Liberia *- 



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 spa'the 

 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 



different 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 



