Araceae

Heteropsis Kunth.

Kingdom: Plantae Rank: Genus Parent: Araceae Status: Valid

Vegetative Morphology

Habit: Hemiepiphyte climbers. Roots to 25 m long, hanging from the branches of trees, very strong, resistant.

Leaves: Leaves coriaceous, entire, veins anastomosing. Petiole very short, not succulent, very distinct within the family.

Reproductive Morphology

Flowers: Spathe caducous.

Infructescence: Infructescence syncarpous, fruits strongly clustered or separate when mature, variable in size and shape, yellow or orange when mature. Mesocarp transparent white.

Seeds: Seeds 1 per fruit.

Other

Uses: The roots are often used as rope and in handcrafts.

Distribution: Guianas, Brazil to Peru.