Philodendron squamiferum explained

Philodendron squamiferum, known as Squamiferum for short, is a rare species of plant in the family Araceae, native to French Guiana, Suriname, and northern Brazil.[1] [2] This climbing plant has leaves with five lobes and has a climbing growth habit. It is well-known among Philodendrons for its distinctive reddish stalks, which are covered in small bristles that give it a hairy appearance.[3]

Description

Philodendron squamiferum is a rare houseplant with unique five-lobed (five-partite) dark green leaves and a scaly reddish petiole.

Toxicity

Philodendron squamiferum is toxic because of the presence of calcium oxalate crystals.[4] Oxalate crystals can cause pain and swelling upon contact with the skin or mouth, and pain, swelling, hoarsenes and difficulty swallowing if ingested.[5]

Notes and References

  1. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=151967 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. Marc Gibernau and Denis Barabé, "Pollination ecology of Philodendron squamiferum (Araceae)", Can. J. Bot. 80: 316–320 (2002)
  3. Book: Bown, Deni. Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family. Timber Press. 2000. 978-0-88192-485-5. 217–218. en.
  4. Book: Quattrocchi . Umberto . CRC world dictionary of medicinal and poisonous plants: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms, and etymology . 2012 . CRC press . Boca Raton . 9781420080445 . 2879.
  5. Web site: Plants That Irritate . Children's Hospital of Philadelphia . 26 October 2023 . en . 5 May 2014.