Editing Araceae (section)

==Description==

Within the Araceae, species are often [[rhizomatous]] or [[tuber]]ous; many are [[Epiphyte|epiphytic]], creeping [[Liana|lianas]] or [[Vine|vining]] plants, and the [[Leaf|leaves]] and tissues of the entire plant nearly always contains irritating [[calcium oxalate]] crystals or [[raphide]]s, in varying degrees.<ref name=Efloras>{{cite web|title=Araceae in Flora of North America @ efloras.org|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=10056|work=Efloras.org|access-date=17 January 2014}}</ref><ref name=Gflora>{{cite web|work=The Encyclopedia of House Plants |url=http://www.gflora.com/index.php?cmd=genus&family_id=7|title=Araceae |access-date=30 June 2024}}</ref>  The foliage can vary considerably from species to species. The majority of species produce an [[inflorescence]] consisting of a spadix (which some compare to a [[Corncob|corn cob]], in appearance), which is nearly always surrounded by a modified leaf bract called a [[spathe]].<ref name=Hawaii>{{cite web|title=Araceae - Flowering Plant Families, UH Botany|url=http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/ar.htm|work=University of Hawaii|access-date=17 January 2014}}</ref>  In [[monoecious]] aroids, possessing separate male and female flowers (but with both flowers present on one plant), the spadix is usually organized with female flowers towards the bottom and male flowers at the top. In aroids with [[perfect flower]]s, the [[stigma (flower)|stigma]] is no longer receptive when the [[pollen]] is released, thus preventing self-[[fertilization]]. Some species are [[dioecious]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Araceae|url=http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/classes/bio366/families/Araceae.pdf|work=Iowa State University|access-date=17 January 2014|archive-date=3 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503154022/http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/classes/bio366/families/Araceae.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Many plants in this family are [[Thermogenic plants|thermogenic]] (heat-producing).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Korotkova|first1=Nadja|last2=Barthlott|first2=Wilhelm|title=On the thermogenesis of the Titan arum (''Amorphophallus titanum'')|journal=Plant Signaling & Behavior|date=2009|volume=4|issue=11|pages=1096–1098|doi=10.4161/psb.4.11.9872|pmid=19838070|pmc=2819525|doi-access=free}}</ref> Their flowers can reach up to 45&nbsp;°C, even if the surrounding air temperature is much lower. One reason for this unusually high temperature is to attract insects (usually [[Beetle|beetles]]) to pollinate the plant, rewarding the beetles with heat energy, in addition to preventing tissue damage in colder regions. Some examples of thermogenic aroids are ''[[Symplocarpus foetidus]]'' (eastern skunk-cabbage),'' [[Amorphophallus titanum]]'' (titan arum),'' [[Amorphophallus paeoniifolius]]'' (elephant-foot yam), ''[[Helicodiceros muscivorus]]'' (dead-horse arum lily), and ''[[Sauromatum venosum]]'' (voodoo lily). Some species, such as ''A''. ''titanum'' and ''H''. ''muscivorus'', give off a very pungent smell akin to rotten meat, which serves to attract flies for pollination. The heat produced by the plant helps to convey the scent further.

<gallery class=center mode=nolines widths=180 heights=180>
File:044 Dracunculus vulgaris at Akrotiri peninsula, Crete, Greece.jpg|Snake lily, ''[[Dracunculus vulgaris]]'', in [[Crete]]
File:Xanthosoma sagittifolium at Kadavoor.jpg|Arrowleaf elephant ear, ''[[Xanthosoma sagittifolium]]''
File:Amorphophallus titanum (corpse flower) - 2.jpg|Corpse flower, ''[[Amorphophallus titanum]]'', 2 or 3 metres tall
</gallery>

===Toxicity===

Within the Araceae family, the majority of species produce calcium oxalate crystals in the form of [[Raphide|raphides]]. While it is possible to consume the cooked foliage of certain genera, such as ''[[Alocasia]]'', ''[[Colocasia]]'', and ''[[Xanthosoma]]'', as well as the ripened fruits of ''[[Monstera deliciosa]]'', these raphide compounds are irritating (and even dangerous) for many animals, including humans. Consumption of raw aroid vegetation may cause [[edema]], [[Vesicle (biology and chemistry)|vesicle]] formation or [[dysphagia]], accompanied by a painful stinging and burning in the mouth and throat, with symptoms occurring for up to two weeks, depending on amount consumed. In smaller amounts, patients report feeling a mild to extreme sensation of sand or glass in the esophagus and mouth, lasting up to 48 hours.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Watson|first1=John T.|last2=Jones|first2=Roderick C.|last3=Siston|first3=Alicia M.|last4=Diaz|first4=Pamela S.|last5=Gerber|first5=Susan I.|last6=Crowe|first6=John B.|last7=Satzger|first7=R. Duane|title=Outbreak of Food-borne Illness Associated with Plant Material Containing Raphides|journal=Clinical Toxicology|date=2005|volume=43|issue=1|pages=17–21|doi=10.1081/CLT-44721|pmid=15732442|s2cid=388923}}</ref> Additionally, in heavier instances of ingestion, [[Anaphylaxis|anaphylactic shock]] could cause swelling of the throat, restricting breathing. The genus ''[[Dieffenbachia]]'' is famously known as "dumb-cane" for this reason; however, given the presence of irritating compounds across the family, this nickname may be applied to virtually any genera within the Araceae.