Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Monsteroideae
Tribe: Monstereae
Genus: Monstera
Species: M. deliciosa
Binomial name
Monstera deliciosa
Liebm.

Monstera deliciosa is a creeping vine native to tropical rainforests of southern Mexico south to Colombia.[1]

Common names include Ceriman, Swiss Cheese Plant (or just Cheese Plant), Fruit Salad Plant, Monster fruit, Monsterio Delicio, Monstereo, Mexican Breadfruit, Monstera, split-leaf philodendron, Locust and Wild Honey, Windowleaf, Delicious Monster, Balazo and Penglai Banana[2].

This member of the Arum family is an epiphyte with aerial roots, able to grow up to 20 m high with large, leathery, glossy, heart-shaped leaves 25–90 cm long by 25–75 cm broad. Young plants have leaves that are smaller and entire with no lobes or holes, but soon produce lobed and holed leaves.[3]

Wild seedlings grow towards the darkest area they can find until they find a tree trunk, then start to grow up towards the light, creeping up the tree.[4]

Contents

Cultivation

The plant is commonly grown for interior decoration in public buildings and as a houseplant. It grows best between the temperatures of 20 °C and 30 °C (68°F and 86°F) and requires high humidity and shade. Growth ceases below 10 °C (50°F) and it is killed by frost. In the coastal zones of Sicily, especially in the Palermo area, where it is called "Zampa di leone" ("Lion's paw"), it is often cultivated outdoors. In ideal conditions it flowers about three years after it is planted. Flowering is rare when grown indoors. The plant can be transplanted by taking cuttings of a mature plant or by air layering.

Fruit

The fruit is up to 25 cm long and 3–4 cm diameter, looking like a green ear of maize covered with hexagonal scales.

Fruits of plants of the Araceae (Arum family) often contain Raphides and Trichosclereids – needle like structures of calcium oxalate.

The fruit may be ripened by cutting it when the first scales begin to lift up and it begins to exude a pungent odor. It is wrapped in a paper bag and set aside until the scales begin popping off. The scales are then brushed off or fall away to reveal the edible flesh underneath. The flesh, which is similar to pineapple in texture, can be cut away from the core and eaten. It has a fruity taste similar to jackfruit and pineapple. The unripe green fruits can irritate the throat and the latex of the leaves and vines can create rashes in the skin, because both contain potassium oxalate: that's the reason why the fruits have to be consumed when the scales lift up.[5]

Other uses

The aerial roots have been used as ropes in Peru, and to make baskets in Mexico.[4]

In Mexico, a leaf or root infusion is drunk daily to relieve arthritis.[4]

In Martinique the root is used to make a remedy for snakebite.[4]

In Colombia it is used as a decorative plant.[6]

Media

References

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Monstera deliciosa — Monstĕra deliciōsa Lieb., s. Philodendron …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Monstera deliciosa —   Monstera deliciosa …   Wikipedia Español

  • Monstera deliciosa — Köstliches Fensterblatt Köstliches Fensterblatt (Monstera deliciosa) als Zimmerpflanze Systematik Ordnung: Froschlöffelartige …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Monstera deliciosa — Faux philodendron Faux philodendron …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Monstera deliciosa — nuostabioji monstera statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Aroninių šeimos dekoratyvinis, vaisinis augalas (Monstera deliciosa), paplitęs atogrąžų Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Monstera deliciosa; Philodendron pertusum angl. ceriman; cut leaf… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • MONSTERA DELICIOSA LIEBM. - МОНСТЕРА ПРИЯТНАЯ — см. 154. Многолетнее растение. Кустарник. М. deliciosa Liebm. М. приятная in Vidensk. Meddelels. für Naturhist. Forein (1849 1850) 19. Burkill (1935) 1490. Wealth of India VI (1962) 422, f. S у n. Philodendron pertusum Kunth et Bouche;… …   Справочник растений

  • Monstera deliciosa — ID 54897 Symbol Key MODE Common Name tarovine Family Araceae Category Monocot Division Magnoliophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution FL, PR, VI Growth Habit Vine, Forb/herb Duration …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Monstera deliciosa — noun tropical American vine having roots that hang like cords and cylindrical fruit with a pineapple and banana flavor • Syn: ↑ceriman • Hypernyms: ↑monstera • Part Meronyms: ↑ceriman, ↑monstera …   Useful english dictionary

  • monstera deliciosa — /mɒnˌstɪərə dəlɪsiˈoʊsə/ (say mon.stearruh duhlisee ohsuh) noun 1. a plant of the genus Monstera, native to tropical America but widely grown elsewhere, having large, deeply incised and perforated leaves and an edible fruit; fruit salad plant;… …  

  • Monstera deliciosa — …   Википедия

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