The third edition of Aroids – Plants of the Arum Family is the work of long-standing MPG member Deni Bown who lives in Spain. The definitive feature of the family is that its members have compound inflorescences, formed of a fleshy central column (a spadix) of many tightly packed flowers. The spadix is usually surrounded by a brightly coloured spathe (a highly modified leaf). Not all aroid species have spathes, but all have spadixes. Various examples are often seen on MPG trips, A. italicum for example, often in olive groves. Deni’s book is available on pre-order from Kew Books, Amazon and other outlets.