4-1 Acoraceae, sweetflag family

Marian C. Munro; Ruth E. Newell; Nicholas M. Hill

Authors

Marian C. Munro Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS
Ruth E. Newell E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia;
Nicholas M. Hill Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Keywords:

Magnoliophyte, sweetflag family, monocots, Acorus, sweetflag, calamus

Abstract

A family of perennial wetland herbs containing aromatic oils, especially noticeable when the plants are bruised. Plants creep on horizontal rhizomes just below the soil‘s surface. Leaves are not differentiated into blades and petioles, swordlike. The inflorescence is a spadix borne terminally on an angled peduncle. It is subtended by a leaf extending beyond it; the spathe is absent. The spadix is nearly cylindric, tapering to the obtuse apex. The flowers are bisexual; tepals and stamens number six. The stamens are distinct; ovaries and stigmas are sessile (styles essentially absent), minute and the ovaries 1–3. Fruits are thin leathery capsules with 1–6 seeds.Nova Scotia has only two species extant here. Photographs were used with permission from Sean Blaney and David Mazerolle.

Author Biographies

Marian C. Munro, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS

Curator of Botany (NSPM)

Ruth E. Newell, E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia;

Curator of the E. C. Smith Herbarium (ACAD)

Nicholas M. Hill, Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Director; Adjunct Professor