Araceae

Non-woody (herbaceous), mostly perennial, terrestrial and aquatic plants with spathes, but otherwise two extremely different growth forms (small aquatic species (Duckweeds and Watermeals) and larger species (Eastern Skunk Cabbage, Jack-in-the-pulpit and Wild Calla)) that are best described separately.

The larger plants in this family (Eastern Skunk Cabbage, Jack-in-the-pulpit and Wild Calla) have a corm-like underground stem that gives rise to broad net-veined leaves and an erect above ground stem, as well as a spike of numerous very small flowers packed onto a fleshy stalk (spadix) and this is supported at its base or surrounded by a large leaf-like or petal-like bract (spathe). Sepals and petals usually 2 or 3 of each (none in Jack-in-the-pulpit), small scale-like, not petal-like in colour, texture or size. Pollen and seeds often borne on separate flowers in the same flower spike (rarely on separate plants), the pollen-bearing flowers usually topmost. Stamens 2 to 6, their stalks very short. Fruit a cluster of berries. Leaves all basal, simple to compound (usually 3 leaflets in Jack-in-the-pulpit), sometimes rounded or heart-shaped at the base. Stems upright,

The small aquatic species (Duckweeds and Watermeals) include the smallest flowering plants in New Brunswick and often grow in mixed populations. Their structure is highly modified and considerably reduced in comparison to the larger species and they appear as small green oval balls or flattened plates that are usually found on or near the surface of the water, do not have obvious leaves or stems, and seldom produce flowers. Reproduction is mainly by vegetative budding. If they flower, usually only one per plant, this producing both pollen and seeds, but lacking sepals and petals. The spathe of these small aquatics may be a membranous sheath, or may be absent. Fruit an achene with a thin, loose, bladder-like wall. May or may not have one or more short unbranched roots.

Plants in this family usually have needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals and other chemicals that cause irritation of the mouth and throat if eaten, and often have a watery to milky latex.