Araceae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arum familyTemporal range: Upper Cretaceous (70 mya) – Recent
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The Araceae family is a group of flowering plants often called the Arum family or aroids. These plants are special because their flowers grow in a unique way. They have a central spike of tiny flowers called a spadix. This spadix is usually surrounded by a colorful, leaf-like part called a spathe. Think of it like a cozy blanket around the flowers!
There are over 3,700 different types of plants in the Arum family, spread across 107 groups (called genera). Most of these plants live in warm, tropical areas, especially in North and South America. But you can also find them in tropical parts of other continents and even in cooler, northern regions.
These plants often have special underground stems called rhizomes or tubers. These are like storage units for the plant, helping them survive. Many arum plants also have a milky sap. They contain tiny crystals called calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals can be irritating if touched or eaten, so it's best to admire these plants without handling them too much.
The leaves of arum plants can be very different. They are usually arranged one after another along the stem. Their shape can be simple or made up of several parts. They often have a long stem (called a petiole) and can sometimes be very large. The base of the leaf often wraps around the stem.
Common Arum Plants
Some well-known plants in the Arum family include:
- Anthurium (often called Flamingo Flower)
- Dieffenbachia (also known as Dumb Cane)
- Dracunculus (like Dragon Arum)
- Monstera (famous for its Swiss cheese plant leaves)
- Philodendron (a popular houseplant)
- Colocasia (like Taro or Elephant Ear)
- Arum (such as Cuckoo-pint)
Images for kids
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The cuckoo-pint or lords and ladies (Arum maculatum) is a common arum in British woodlands.
See also
In Spanish: Aráceas para niños
