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:
*Acorus L.
Linnaeus: 324 (1753)
Engler: 308 (1905)
Grayum: (1987)
Mayo et al.: 289 (1997)
Distribution & Notes:
Global: Species 2, Old World and North American wetlands
Southern Africa: Species 1, naturalised: *Acorus calamus L., North-West and Western Cape
References:
ENGLER, A. 1905. Araceae-Pothoideae. Das Pflanzenreich 21 (4. 23B). W. Engelmann, Leipzig
GRAYUM, M.H. 1987. A summary of evidence and arguments supporting the removal of Acorus from the Araceae. Taxon 36,4
LINNAEUS, C. 1753. Species plantarum. Laurentius Salvius, Stockholm
MAYO, S.J., BOGNER, J. & BOYCE, P.C. 1997. The genera of Araceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
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Welcome to Biodiversity Advisor 2.0!
Biodiversity Advisor, developed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and its Data Partners, is a system that will provide integrated biodiversity information to a wide range of users who will have access to geospatial data, plant and animal species distribution data, ecosystem-level data, literature, images and metadata.
The integrated information comes from our much-loved Botanical Database of Southern Africa (BODATSA) also known as Plants of Southern Africa (POSA), Zoological Database of Southern Africa (ZODATSA), Biodiversity Geographic Information System (BGIS), SANBI's institutional repository (Opus) and others.
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In future, Team SANBI will be able to log in using their day-to-day login details, BGIS users will be able to use their existing accounts and details, and general users will be able to log in using their LinkedIn profile, but for now you will need to create an account.
