| Araceae: Arum Family | ||||||||||
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The arums or Family Araceae is a family of monocotss (Class Liliopsida) within the flowering plants in which the flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix, usually with female flowers towards the bottom and male flowers towards the top. The spadix is accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe (leaf-like hood).
The anthurium and the calla are two well-known members of this family, as are the taro plant (Colocasia esculenta) and elephant ear plant (or 'ape). The largest flower (actually inflorescence) in the world is that of the arum, Amorphophallus titanum. There are also a great many ornamentals in this family: Dieffenbachia, Aglaonema, Caladium, Nephthys, and Pothos, to name a few. Both taro and Monstera provide food value (fruit of Monstera called "Mexican breadfruit"). The philodendron is an important plant in the ecosystems of the rainforests and is often used in home and interior decorating.