ABSTRACT
The family Alismataceae comprises about 13 genera and 100 species of aquatic or semiaquatic herbs with basal leaves. The family Araceae consists of about 110 genera and 1800 species of fleshy, not uncommonly smelly, poisonous, and often water-loving herb growing from rhizomes or corms. The family Smilacaceae consists of 4 genera and about 375 species of mostly climbers growing from rhizomes. The leaves are simple, alternate or opposite, and exstipulate. The blade is often coriaceous, glossy, and often marked with 3 longitudinal nerves. The androecium comprises 6 stamens. The gynoecium consists of 3 carpels fused in a bilocular ovary, each locule sheltering up to 2 ovules. The fruits are berries. Plants in this family produce antimicrobial stilbenes and flavonoids. The family Amaryllidaceae consists of about 100 species and 1200 species of herbs growing from bulbs, corms, rhizomes, or tubers. Members in this family produce antimicrobial alky sulfur compounds and Amaryllidaceae alkaloids of tremendous antiviral interest.
