Dracontioides desciscens
Herb helophytic, often locally abundant; Stem elongated, vertical, 10-30 x 1-2 cm, covered by small tubercles. LEAVES 2-4 per plant, erect to spreading; petioles 45-90 x 0.8-1.2 cm , marbled at base, sheathed to 1/2-1/3 of petiole length; blade glossy green in barh surfaces, lighter abaxially, drying brown, chartaceous, sagittate, 17-50 x 13-36 cm, fenestrate or rarely without holes; anterior division ovate, 9-27 x 7.5-18 cm, wider at base, primary lateral veins 2-4 per side, departing at a 45-70° angle from the midrib, curved towards apex, apex acuminate; posterior divisions 28-30 x 20-23 cm, obliquely lanceolate, basiscopic nerves 1-2, acroscopic nerves 1-2, basal rib denuded for 0.8-1 cm. INFLORESCENCES solitary, erect at anthesis; peduncles 26-73 x 0.5-0.7 cm; spathe 8-17 x 2.5-4 cm, green to reddish-green or copper-green striated in clear green outside, purplish with white or yellow stripes inside, convolute basally forming tube, lamina fornicate; spadix blackish to purplish, sessile or shortly stipitate, stipe when present 5-6 x 5 mm, oblique basally, cylindrical, 2.5-5 x 0.5-l.5 cm. Flowers rhombic to square, 2 x 2 mm, tepals 4, fornicate, 2-2.5 x 1-1.5 mm, stamens 2-2.5 mm long, filament flattened l.5-2 x 1 mm, thecae elliptic 0.5-2 x 0.5-1 cm, apically dehiscent by a pore, gynoecium 3-5 mm long, stigma small, flattened, rounded, style conoid, 1-2 x 0.5-1 mm, ovary ovoid, 1-2 x 1-2 mm, 2-locular, each locule 1-2 ovular. INFRUCTESCENCE nodding; berries completely green or dark purple at apex, ovoid, 5-10 x 4-8 mm; Seed reniform, with many cristae along the entire length 7-8 x 0.5-6 mm, brown.
This species is known from the Brazilian states of Bahia, Espirito Santo and maybe Rio de Janeiro. Mayo and collaborators (997) stated that the occurrence in Rio de Janeiro ("Tijuca") referred by Peyrisch (1879) may be a mistake. However, at least considering arboreal components, the northern portion of the state of Rio de Janeiro has a high floristic similarity with areas of southern Bahia and Espirito Santo state (Silva & Nascimento, 2001). Other aroids known to range usually at the northern portion of the Mata Atlantica are occasionally found in northern Rio de Janeiro, such as Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott. Anyhow, in Tupi language spoken by indians and many of first Europeans settlers, "tu'iuca" means "muddy place", so it is not surprising if there are other places with the same ancient name. As far as known, no modern collection has been made south of the Linhares region in Espirito Santo State.
This species is found in damp places, usually very close to the sea, sometimes growing in dense clusters.