Members of the Araceae, the aroid family, are common in tropical rainforests. In general they are easy to recognize especially in flower. Aroids are characterized by tiny insignificant flowers aggregated into a dense spike inflorescence (the spadix) which has a surrounding or subtending bract (the spathe). Here a purple spadix curves upward from the spathe below. Since the flowers have little visual display, this is either provided by a large colorful spathe, or by using odor as the pollinator attractant. This aroid smells of musky, fermented fruit attracting stingless bees and flies (click to see closeup). The foliage of some of these tropical aroids releases a skunky odor just like more familiar North American species like the skunk cabbage.
