478 



A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



spike, which is subtended or enclosed by a large bract known as 

 a spathe, as in the Calla-lily, where it is large and white, and (2) 

 the Lemnaceae or duckweed family, which is composed of minute, 



FlG. 262. Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus fcttidus), a perennial herb producing a very 

 thick rhizome, from which arise in the early spring the flowers crowded on a spadix sur- 

 rounded by a large, shell-like spathe which barely rises out of the ground and is striped or 

 spotted with purple and yellowish-green. These are followed by a cluster of ovate, cordate 

 leaves becoming 3 to 6 dm. long. In the illustration are shown 4 of the spathes, the one at 

 the left being cut open to show the globular or ovoid spadix, and a single leaf unfolding. 

 After Troth. 



floating, thalloid plants that develop one or more flowers on the 

 margin or upper surface of the thallus. 



ARACE^E OR ARUM FAMILY. The plants belonging to 

 this family are perennial herbs with tuberous or fleshy rhizomes 



