From the Greek meaning Tail-flower.

Evergreen, erect, root-climbing or pendent plants. Leaf blades entire or palmately lobed with marginal veins and veinlets usually netted. Leaf stalks with a joint just below the blade. Spathe flat or hooded, not overlapping at the base, erect to spreading or bent down, generally colourful. Spadix tapered towards the tip. Florets bisexual with 4 segments and 4 stamens. Ovary 2-chambered with mostly 1 ovule per chamber (occasionally more).

Generally grown as indoor plants for the neat foliage and colourful spathes.

About 800 species from Mexico to Argentina.

Seeds, suckers and stem cuttings.

Florets with a perianth; sheath not clasping either the main stem or the one above; spathes usually brightly coloured and shiny.

Madison (1978), Croat & Baker (1979), Kamemoto (1981), Croat (1983, 1986, 1991).

Source: Spencer, R. (2005). Araceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.