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Monstera deliciosa
| Family Name: | Araceae |
| Synonyms: | Philodendron pertusum |
| Common Name: | Swiss-cheese Plant, Window Plant, Fruit Salad Plant, Split-leaf Philodendron, Ceriman |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern Mexico & Central America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large root climber |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves leathery, mid to dark green, 30 - 90cm wide, blades dissected and with perforations. Petioles flattened, to 1m long. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence to 25 (30)cm long, spathe white |
| Fruit | Compound fruit to 30(40)cm long by 9cm wide. Fruits hexagonal cells to 1cm wide, tightly fitted together, edges loosening when ripe. |
| Cultivation | Smaller specimens of this species are popular as house plants as it is tolerant of indoor light levels (i.e. very bright - bright shade). Large specimens are used for outdoor landscaping where it is allowed to sprawl on the ground or climb up very large trees. |
| Etymology | The name Monstera deliciosa literally means a 'Delicious Monstrosity', and points to the edible fruits that taste like a cross between pineapples and jackfruits (or bananas, in certain accounts). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Others: Only the fully ripened fruits should be eaten. The unripe fruits contain oxalate crystals, and these can irritate the mouth and throat, causing inflammation of the tissues. According to certain sources, some individuals have also displayed such symptoms after consuming the ripe fruits. If unsure of whether one will develop symptoms for eating the fruit, do not consume it. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap, Large Heavy Fruits |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Other Mammal)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Disease / Pest Resistant, Easy to Grow |
| Planting Remarks | This species can be planted on the ground, where it will creep along the substrate to form a sizeable ground cover. It can climb up trees if it is allowed to, where it will develop into a very large and heavy climber. The clasping roots can leave marks on walls, so it should not be allowed to climb onto the walls as it can damage the paint works. |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, White |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Spathe & Spadix |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 157 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1453 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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