Orontioideae is a subfamily of flowering plants in the Araceae

Araceae

Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe or leaf-like bract. Also known as the Arum family, members are often colloquially...

 family. The subfamily consists of three genera namely, Orontium

Orontium

Orontium is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family. The single species in the genus is Orontium aquaticum. This species is endemic to eastern North America and is found growing in ponds, streams, and shallow lakes. It prefers an acidic environment. The leaves are pointed and...

(golden club, one species from eastern North America), Lysichiton

Lysichiton

Lysichiton is a genus in the family Araceae. These plants are known commonly as skunk cabbage or less often as swamp lantern. The spelling Lysichitum is also found...

(one to two species of skunk cabbage from North America and Asia), and Symplocarpus

Symplocarpus

Symplocarpus is a genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family native to North America and Asia. The genus is characterized by having large leaves and deep root systems with contractile roots used for changing the plant's level with the ground...

(several species of skunk cabbage from North America and Asia). Characteristics of Orontioideae include medium sized pollen grains and subterranean stems. Species in the subfamily have a base chromosome number of X=13.