e-Key <span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703060038512_6151192628060229" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>v3 - Acor<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703060038513_7226380847401976" data-jodit_selection_marker="end" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>aceae
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

MONOCOTYLEDON - ARECIDAE - ARALES - *Acoraceae

Compiled by Y. Singh

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

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