Dracontium polyphyllum L.
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Authority
Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.
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Family
Araceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Large tuberous, terrestrial herbs, the tuber to at least 6 cm diam., rounded and shriveled on bottom, somewhat flattened at upper outer margin, with a few small tubercles. Leaves usually solitary, much divided; petiole 1-1.6 m long, terete, spongy, splotched and streaked with greenish-black marks; blade broadly ovate, with 3 major divisions, the divisions to 40 X 20 cm, each highly divided, pinnately lobed, the segments further lobed. Inflorescences short, erect, emitting scent similar to that of rotten vegetables in early afternoon, the peduncle to 17 cm long, with ca. 5 cm exserted above ground, 8 mm diam., surrounded by several protective sheaths, the sheaths dark brown, acuminate at apex, innermost longer than peduncle; spathe violet-purple, tinged with green abaxially, glossy and darker adaxially, ca. 8 X 3.5 cm; spadix purplish, contained within the enshrouding spathe, 3.8 X 1 cm, stipitate, stipe 8 mm long. Berries pale green at base, purple and ± warty at apex. Seeds 3 per fruit, ± reniform. Fl (May-Jul), mature fr (Feb, Mar, May)
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Distribution
Moderately rare but seen several times along road between Eaux Claires and the airport.
French Guiana South America|