Dracontioides
Encyclopedia
Dracontioides is a monotypic genus
of flowering plants in the Araceae
family
. The single species that makes up the genus
is Dracontioides desciscens, which is native to swamp
s in eastern Brazil
. This species was originally classified by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott
as belonging to Urospatha
, but it was subsequently reassigned to its own genus Dracontioides by Adolf Engler
. The genus is closely related to both Urospatha
and Dracontium
. The most notable feature of the species its glossy extremely sagittate leaves with oval fenestration
s. The leaves are attached to 2 meter long stalks that are intern attached to a spongy rhizome
. Additionally, the inflorescence
produced has a smell of rotting meat.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of flowering plants in the Araceae
Araceae
Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe or leaf-like bract. Also known as the Arum family, members are often colloquially...
family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
. The single species that makes up the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
is Dracontioides desciscens, which is native to swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
s in eastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. This species was originally classified by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott
Heinrich Wilhelm Schott
Heinrich Wilhelm Schott was an Austrian botanist well known for his extensive work on the aroids ....
as belonging to Urospatha
Urospatha
Urospatha is a genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family that consists of approximately 10 species. They are found growing in South America and Central America in swamps, wet savannahs, and brackish water. The leaves of the species in this genus are upward pointing and sagittate...
, but it was subsequently reassigned to its own genus Dracontioides by Adolf Engler
Adolf Engler
Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler was a German botanist. He is notable for his work on plant taxonomy and phytogeography, like Die Natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien , edited with Karl A. E...
. The genus is closely related to both Urospatha
Urospatha
Urospatha is a genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family that consists of approximately 10 species. They are found growing in South America and Central America in swamps, wet savannahs, and brackish water. The leaves of the species in this genus are upward pointing and sagittate...
and Dracontium
Dracontium
Dracontium is a flowering plant similar to Amorphophallus. It can be distinguished on the basis of its inflorescence, which is smaller and unisexual. The tuber is large, similar to that of Amorphophallus but rounder, with no central and circular scar mark. When the plant begins to flower, the tuber...
. The most notable feature of the species its glossy extremely sagittate leaves with oval fenestration
Fenestration (plant)
Fenestration is a term in botany that refers to natural holes in the leaves of some species of plants. The size, shape, and quantity of holes in each leaf can vary greatly depending on the species and can even vary greatly within a given species. Fenestration is caused by sections of leaf ceasing...
s. The leaves are attached to 2 meter long stalks that are intern attached to a spongy rhizome
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
. Additionally, the inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
produced has a smell of rotting meat.