Classical name.

Low growing rhizomatous or tuberous herbs. Leaves entire, ovate to arrow-head shaped, long stalked. Spathe with the tube region united at the edges, the blade forming a hood. Spadix with a terminal appendage, flowers unisexual, the male and female zones continuous, female flowers few with the males above; perianth absent. Ovary of 1 chamber.

Grown for the neat habit, attractive leaves and unusual hooded flowers.

3 species from the Mediterranean.

Offsets or seed.

The corms of A. vulgare are sometimes eaten.

Spathe a complete tube rather than formed from free, overlapping edges (cf. Arisaema).

Boyce (1990).

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.