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Xanthosoma sagittifolium 'Variegatum Monstrosum'
| Family Name: | Araceae |
| Synonyms: | Xanthosoma albomarginata, Xanthosoma atrovirens 'Variegatum Monstrosum' |
| Common Name: | Mickey Mouse Taro, Mouse Cup, Pocket Plant |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Of horticultural origin |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a herbaceous aroid plant that grows about 1 - 1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its leaves are variegated and the leaf blade has an interesting shape which resembles the Disney character 'Mickey Mouse', thus the common name. The leaf base part is sagittate, while the upper part is reduced to a thin string. |
| Cultivation | The plant needs partial shade and moist soils to grow well. Water the plant when the first inch of soils are dry. Do not let the plant sit in water, |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Maintenance Requirements | Unknown / Unselect |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ, Division |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Green, White, Patterned |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Sagittate) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Shortened Internodes |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Stem Tuber) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Waxy |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flowering Period | A Few Times Yearly |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30743 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5067 |
| 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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