86 
MONOGRAPH OF 
they had been blended in Arum and Caladi - 
um. The whole tribe of Aroides was in utter 
confusion ; but is rectified in my Flora Tellu- 
riana. 
PELTANDRA Raf. meaning shield sta- 
mens, 1819. Arum L. &c Calla Mx. Caladium 
Elliot, Lecontea Torrey 1824, Renselaria 
Beck 1833. 
Spatha narrow involute tubulose, side split 
spadix inclosed quite geniferous, terete obtuse, 
pistils inferior, stigmas sessile capitate. An- 
thers confluent (sterile at the end of the spadix) 
peltate crenate multiloeular on the sides. Ber- 
ries globose unequal 1 to 5 ovate seeds. Sea - 
pose leaves simple commonly cuspidate , root 
tuberose . 
Remarks. This Genus includes several aqua- 
tic plants or growing in damp soils and mea- 
dows, while the other Aroides commonly avoid 
the Waters. They may be known by this pe- 
culiarity even out of bloom, as also by the cus- 
pidate leaves.. The berries are green and con- 
taia a jelly with commonly several seeds, but 
often one only by abortion. Those seeds were 
eaten by the Indians, even the leaves are edible 
when boiled ; the roots are thick, and tuberose, 
but not properly turnip like as in other Aroides. 
The flowers are vernal, and last only a few 
days in May or June, they do not bloom every 
year. Michaux reduced them to Calla that 
has mixt flowers and a style, because one sp. 
has a flat spatha as Calla ; this may form a 
Sub Genus. 
Leucospatha, Spathe cuculate, end dilatate, 
4 to 5 seeds — Peltandra, spathe involute, end 
narrow, 3 to 5 seeds. 
Renselaria, Ditto, Ditto, 1 or 2 seeds. 
