Foliage |
This plant has very large, glossy leaves up to 90cm long, that are very deeply dissected into many wavy-margined lobes, and held on long petioles. The upper surface is dark green and glossy, while the underside is lighter green. |
Flowers |
The inflorescence is a spadix, typical of a member of the Araceae family. It is about 30cm long, with a purplish red spathe enclosing an upright, fleshy spike of tiny petal-less flowers. An interesting fact about the inflorescence is that it is generates heat over a 2 or 3 day period when flowering, enough to maintain the ambient temperature within the spadix at higher than room temperature (between 31 to 40 degrees Celsius). This trait is most likely to attract pollinators like ants and beetles. |
Others - Plant Morphology |
A relatively fast-growing ornamental plant frequently used for indoor landscaping. It has very distinctive, deeply-lobed simple leaves which almost appear to be compound.Landscaping Use:This is highly suitable for shady areas, courtyards, next to pools and water features, and indoor planting in containers. It is popular as an interiorscape plant, due to its architectural foliage and low light requirements. It requires some occasional misting if grown indoors, especially in air-conditioned environments. Leaves get progressively larger and more wavy as the plant matures. Most indoor specimens never reach full maturity. Scales may be a possible pest problem. Note that the sap may cause skin irritation, and all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.Propagation/Cultivation:Propagated from stem cuttings. |