Araceae
	Links to Genus Directory of Images: Acorus Amorphophallus Anthurium Arisaema Calla Lysichiton Pistia Sauromatum Symplocarpus Zantedeschia

Genera : 110

Species: 1800-2000

Distribution: Cosmopolitan, but most subtropical and tropical .

Economic Uses: As indoor ornamentals and agriculturally as tubers (taro).

Defining Features of Interest: Indoor ornamentals highly poisonous if ingested (ex. 'dumbcane'). Sapthe /Spadix inflorescence. Some with adventitious roots. Some with milky juice.

Fossil Evidence: Plant parts in the Eocene

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Small and many, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, perfect or unisexual (usually moneocious with male flowers above female) rarely dioecious. Inflorescence a 'spadix' with a subtending 'spadix'. Hypogynous or epigynous.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit a berry. Embryo is large, endosperm is present or lacking.

Vegetative Features : Habit as herbs, shrubs, lianas or epiphytes. Leaves simple or compound, alternate or basal, petiole with sheathing ligule.