keys to the vascular plants of east texas - Botanical Research ...

470 ARACEAE/PELTANDRA
peduncle to rhizome; flowers usually perfect, variable; perianth segments 2–6; stamens 1–6 (1–2
staminodes sometimes present); pistil usually 1; fruit a blue-green, 1-seeded berry ca. 10–20 mm
in diam. Shallow water, moist banks; Polk Co. (BRIT) in the Pineywoods; e U.S. from NY s to FL
w to TX. Apr–Jun. When properly prepared (boiled repeatedly, etc.), the rhizome and seeds are
reported to be edible (Mabberley 1997), and the seeds were eaten by Native Americans (Thompson
2000b). Feb–Jun. Thompson (2000b) suggested that this is probably the most distinctive
species of Araceae in North America, citing the absence of a spathe and the characteristic bluegreen
velvety leaves. The presence/absence of a spathe in this species is controversial. According
to Ray (1988), the sheath at the base of the peduncle, with only a bract-like blade, is not
morphologically equivalent to the spathe of other members of the family; T. Croat (pers. comm.),
however, considers this structure to be a spathe. This species is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental
(Thompson 2000b). While not officially designated as such (e.g., TOES 1993; Carr
2002d; Poole et al. 2002), given its limited distribution in the state, we consider this species to be
of conservation concern in TX. � m/293
PELTANDRA Raf. ARROW ARUM
AA genus of 2 species endemic to e North America (Thompson 2000b); some authorities (e.g.,
Blackwell & Blackwell 1974 [1975]) believe there is only a single variable species. (Greek: pelta,
shield, and andr, man, in reference to the shield-shaped tops of the staminate flowers—Thompson
2000b)
REFERENCES: Blake 1912; Goldberg 1941; Wilson 1960; Blackwell & Blackwell 1974 [1975]; Patt et
al. 1995.
Peltandra virginica (L.) Schott, (of Virginia), VIRGINIA ARUM, TUCKAHOE, GREEN ARUM, ARROW
ARUM, GREEN ARROW ARUM. Perennial monoecious herb from thick fibrous roots; leaves clustered
on short stems; petioles to ca. 0.6(–1) m long; leaf blades highly variable in shape and size,
to 50(–59) cm long and ca. 15(–30) cm wide (usually small in comparison to those of
Xanthosoma), with 3 main veins, entire, somewhat glaucous beneath or not glaucous, � sagittate
or hastate, with basal lobes varying from short and rounded to long and pointed; scape
nearly equaling the petioles in length at flowering time; spathe green with pale to white or yellow-green
margins, ca. 10–20 cm long, open distally or almost throughout, the lower part persistent
and enclosing the spadix in fruit; spadix white to cream, yellow, or orangish, from
shorter than to nearly as long as spathe, completely covered by flowers or only the apex naked,
the lower portion pistillate, the upper portion staminate, with sterile flowers between; perianths
absent; staminate flowers with 4–5 connate stamens forming a flat-topped synandrium;
berries ca. 6–18 mm in diam., green to brownish or dark purple-green, with 1–2(–4) seeds surrounded
by gelatinous material. Bogs, swamps, and other wet areas; Cherokee, Henderson,
Houston, Leon, Robertson, San Augustine, Smith (BRIT), Anderson, Marion, Wood (TAES),
Nacogdoches (ASTC), Bowie (BAYLU), Van Zandt (Kral 1955), Cass, Falls, Madison, and Orange
(Turner et al. 2003) cos., Pineywoods and Post Oak Savannah; also n Gulf Prairies and Marshes;
se Canada and throughout e U.S. w to MN and TX, also naturalized in CA and OR. Apr–May. [P.
tharpii F.A. Barkley] Pollination is by a chloropid fly; the flies use VIRGINIA ARUM inflorescences
as mating and brood sites, with both adults and developing larvae feeding on pollen (but not
damaging ovules or seeds); this type of pollination system has been referred to as the
“androecial brood-site pollination syndrome” (Patt et al. 1995; Thompson 2000b). Fruits and
seeds of this species are eaten by wildlife, especially waterfowl. Migratory birds are thought to
be an important factor in dispersal (Thompson 2000b). The roasted starchy roots were formerly
used as food by Native Americans (Mabberley 1997); they are reportedly poisonous until
properly prepared by cooking (Yatskievych 1999). The common name TUCKAHOE is one of the
few Native American plant names still widely used; it was written about by Captain John
Smith (Durant 1976) �