3 



THE ARALES 



known as the spathe. This organ is variously colored and often 

 the most attractive feature of the plant. The coloration and 

 the odors and glands that are developed in some of the forms 

 indicate that these plants are entomophilous. The flowers are 

 arranged upon a fleshy axis, the spadix, and in the simplest forms 



FIG. 286. Inflorescence of the Arales : A, habit of the Jack-in-the-pulpit. 

 B, diagram of the inflorescence with spathe, s, opened on one side to show 

 the spadix, sp, bearing staminate flowers at the base. C, a pistillate flower 

 consisting of a single naked carpel. D, a staminate flower of four two- 

 lobed anthers. E, section of the inflorescence of one of the arums p, 

 compartment containing pistillate flowers; s f staminate flowers. 



are quite comparable to those of the Typha, consisting of one or 

 a few stamens or a single pistil (Fig. 286, B-D). These im- 

 perfect flowers may be developed on different parts of the same 

 spadix or on different spadices. In more advanced types, the 



