Haemodoraceae R.Br.

Milliken, W., Klitgard, B. and Baracat, A. (2009 onwards), Neotropikey - Interactive key and information resources for flowering plants of the Neotropics. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, herbs, rhizomatose, sometimes stoloniferous or cormiferous, often with red latex

Morphology Leaves

Leaves parallel-veined, distichous, equitant, linear or ensiform, mainly radical, sheathing at the base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a terminal, bracteate thyrse, the partial inflorescences lax or dense cincinni

Morphology General Indumentum

Indument of inflorescence and floral parts composed of simple hairs or lacking

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers actinomorphic to zygomorphic, shortly pedicellate; tepals 6, arranged in 2 whorls, free or basally connate; stamens 1-3, unequal, inserted at the base of the inner tepals, filaments short, basifixed, introrsely and longitudinally dehiscent; staminodes 0-2, inserted at the base of the inner tepals (Pyrrorhiza Maguire & Wurdack) or outer tepals (Schiekia Meisn.); style 1, filiform, stigma simple to slightly 3-lobulate; ovary superior to inferior, 3-locular, ovules 2-many, anatropous, placentation axile, septal nectaries present (except in Xiphidium Aubl.)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a 3-locular, loculicidally dehiscent capsule

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 2-many per locule, tuberculate, hairy, or glabrous .

Note

Notes on delimitation: The Haemodoraceae family is placed in the order of Commelinales, together with 2 families which also occur in the Neotropics, namely Commelinaceae and Pontederiaceae. The red-coloured pigment often present in the underground parts - arylphenalenone haemocorin - is unique in the Plant Kingdom. Number of genera: Lachnanthes - (1 sp.) Pyrrorhiza - (1 sp.) Schiekia - (1 sp.) Xiphidium - (2 spp.)

Distribution

All over the Neotropics, but also in the USA and Canada (Lachnanthes Elliott). All genera are native in the Neotropics.

Diagnostic

Key differences from similar families: Haemodoraceae could easily be confused with Iridaceae because of their distichous, equitant, parallel-veined, narrow leaves. They differ, however, by: The red sap in their underground parts. Unequal stamens. Sometimes having staminodes. Plants often with red sap in the rhizomes or stolons. Leaves linear to ensiform. Stamens 1-3, unequal-0-2 staminodes present in 2 genera. Ovarysuperior to inferior. Ovules 2-many. Distinguishing characters (always present): Perennial herbs. Leaves distichous, equitant, parallel-veined. Inflorescence a terminal thyrse. Indument of inflorescence and floral parts (if present) composed of simple hairs. Tepals 6, in 2 whorls. Ovary 3-locular. Placentation axile. Fruit a loculicidally dehiscentcapsule. Key to genera of Neotropical Haemodoraceae 1. Ovary inferior; stamens 3; inflorescence and outer side of tepals densely covered with white, woolly hairs ... Lachnanthes 1. Ovary superior; stamens 1 or 3; inflorescence and outer side of tepals glabrous to hairy, but never covered with woolly hairs ... 2 2. Inflorescence a thyrse, composed of two to four 5-7-flowered cincinni; stamen 1; cormiferous herbs ... Pyrrorhiza 2. Inflorescence a thyrse, composed of many 3-25-flowered cincinni; stamens 3; rhizomatous herbs ... 3 3. Staminodes 2; outer side of tepals hairy; ovary with 3-6 ovules per locule; fruit with 2-4 seeds per locule... Schiekia 3. Staminodes absent; outer side of tepals glabrous; ovary with 7-many ovules per locule; fruit with many seeds per locule... Xiphidium