212 AROIDE^E. 



ENDOGEN^:. 



Petaloidece. 



51. AROIDE^E. 



Flowers unisexual, arranged upon a spadix, which is 

 sometimes naked, partial floral coverings also sometimes 

 wanting, when present consisting of 4-5 pieces. 



MALE FLOWERS. Stamens definite or indefinite, very 

 short, hypogynous ; anthers one or many-celled, turned 

 outwards. 



FEMALE FLOWERS. Ovarium superior, 1-3-celled, 

 many-ovuled, ovules erect, pendulous, or parietal. 

 Stigma sessile. Fruit dry or succulent. Seeds mostly 

 albuminous, and the embryo cylindrical and erect. 



Herbaceous or shrubby, sometimes without an evident 

 stem, at others arborescent ; when herbaceous often 

 provided with a cormus. Leaves sheathing at the base 

 with a parallel or reticulated system of venation, and a 

 more or less coloured spatha is generally present. 



Geographical Relations. Much more abundant in the 

 tropics than anywhere else. 



Properties. Acrid and sometimes highly poisonous, 

 or aromatic and stimulating. 



Officinal Plant. 

 Acorus calamus. 



