| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperms-Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Family Common Name: Arum Family
Genera: Anthurium, Arisaema, Arum, Caladium, Dieffenbachia,
Epipremnum, Spathiphyllum, Zantedeschia |
Defining Features: Some species
are highly poisonous if ingested (ex. 'Dumb Cane'). Some species have adventitious
roots. Some species have milky juice. Raphides are present.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are small and many, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, perfect
or unisexual (usually moneocious with male flowers above female zone) rarely
dioecious. Inflorescence has densely packed flowers on a fleshy axis "spadix"
and a subtending petaloid "spathe". Often spadix has a large,
terminal, sterile section. Ovaries are superior with various placentation.
Fruit and Seed Features: Monocotyledon. Fruit usually a berry. Embryo is
large. Endosperm is either present or lacking. Vegetative Features: Habit
as terrestrial to aquatic herbs with corms or rhizomes, liana with aerial
roots, epiphytes or floating aquatics. Leaves simple or compound, alternate
or basal with net venation. Petiole has sheathing ligule. Stipules are
lacking. Some species have glandular hairs or small scales at the node
inside the leaf sheath.
Distribution: Cosmopolitan,
but mostly subtropical and tropical.
Economic Use: As garden and
indoor ornamentals and agriculturally as tubers (taro).
Number of Genera Globally: 109
Number of Species Globally:
2,830
