Which features identify flowers in the Araceae family?

The Araceae family, a member of the Alismatales order, is identified by a unique and characteristic inflorescence structure.12

The primary features of Araceae flowers include:

• Spadix: The actual flowers are minute and densely packed onto a generally thickened, fleshy spike known as the spadix.12
• Spathe: This spadix is typically accompanied or surrounded by a leafy or fleshy bract called a spathe.32
• Flower Sexuality: The individual flowers may be bisexual or unisexual. In some species, such as the voodoo lily (Amorphophallus konjac), the spadix is organized into distinct sections, featuring a basal section of female flowers, a central portion of male flowers, and a sterile tip.12
• Pollination Adaptations: Many species are thermogenic, meaning they can generate heat to protect against cold or to assist in attracting pollinators. Often, these plants emit a fetid odor that, combined with the heat, mimics rotting flesh to attract insects like carrion beetles and flesh flies.2