Description:

• Rhizomatous, aromatic wetland herbs containing ethereal oils; raphides and lactifers 0
• Leaves distichous, linear to ensiform, equitant; venation parallel
• Inflorescence a short, uniform, pedunculate spadix subtended by an erect, linear, leaf-like, persistent spathe
• Flowers regular, bisexual, typically 3-merous, densely congested on spadix
• Perianth: segments 3 + 3, free
• Stamens 3 + 3; filaments free, linear, flattened, as long as perianth segments; anthers 2-thecous, horseshoe-shaped, dehiscing by longitudinal slit
• Ovary superior or embedded in spadix, 2- or 3-locular; several pendulous, orthotropous ovules on apical-axile placenta; style 0; stigma subsessile
• Fruit a ± dry berry
• Seeds few, pendulous, with copious endosperm. x = 12

Nomenclature:

• *Acoraceae
  • Agardh: 133 (1822)
  • Grayum: 723 (1987)
  • Mayo et al.: 289 (1997)

Distribution & Notes:

• Global: Genus 1, species 2, northern hemisphere, N America to Asian tropics
• Southern Africa: Genus 1, species 2, introduced into southern hemisphere

References:

• AGARDH, C.A. 1822. Aphorismi botanici. Berling, Lund
• GRAYUM, M.H. 1987. A summary of evidence and arguments supporting the removal of Acorus from the Araceae. Taxon 36,4
• MAYO, S.J., BOGNER, J. & BOYCE, P.C. 1997. The genera of Araceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Resources:

• Acoraceae genus: *Acorus