Cyclanthaceae
	Genera : 11 Species: 180   To Genus Directories: Asplundia

Distribution: In New World tropical rain forest.

Economic Uses: The source of fine fibers used in the making of Panama hats as well as used in making thatch for rooves and brooms.

Defining Features of Interest: The family is very similar to the Aracaceae, with which it is combined by some botanists. The stems contain a watery or milky juice. The female flowers have long, filamentous staminodes.

Fossil Evidence:Fossils in the Eocene.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Actinomorphic and unisexual/monoecious. Lacking a peduncle (sessile to the spadix). Inflorescence of small and numerous flowers forming a spadix of both male and female individuals. Spadix enclosed by two or more bracts (spathes).

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit a single berry or multiple of fused berries. Seeds with a fleshy covering. Endosperm present. Placentation is apical or parietal.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as perennial herbs, lianas or epiphytes. Leaves are deeply lobed or compound with a 'palm-like' blade and alternate or spirally arranged. Petioles are sheathed at the base. Stipules are lacking.