Plant of the Month May 2007

Aroids in our homes and gardens

Anthurium

The Araceae is a large family of herbaceous plants which vary in habit such as erect, climbers, creepers, aquatic and semi-epiphytic and are usually found in the tropics. It also consists of many free floating and fully submerged aquatics.  It is distinctively characterized by it’s inflorescence which is known as a spadix and the spathe (a leaf-like hood) which encloses it.

With their diverse inflorescence, leaf shapes, sizes and colour, the aroids bring the beauty of the rainforests to our homes and garden.  No tropical garden is complete without the unique touch of the aroids.

The different species, hybrids and varieties of many aroids such as Epipremnum aureum (money plant). Dieffenbachia (dumb cane), Aglaonema (silver queen), Caladium (angel’s wings), Anthurium, Alocasia and Philodendron are valued as ornamental plants and are common in our homes and gardens.  Many of these plants are also act as ‘Indoor Air Purifiers’.

Many of the Anthurium species and hybrids are valued for their spathe which come in many shades of colours such as white, pink, purple, peach, orange, red, lime green, maroon and even brown which are used in the cut flower trade.  These long lasting colourful spathe is also another reason why Anthuriums are popular as houseplants.

Others such as the Colocasia escuelenta provide edible tubers which we call yam/taro.  The Monstera deliciosa is said to produce ‘delicious’ fruits (Mexican breadfruit) which are a source of food.  Other edible aroids would include Alocasia spp and Xanthosoma spp.

Some of these species of aroids such as the Alocasia macrorrhiza, Colocasia escuelenta ,Acorus calamus and Homalomena spp are used in traditional medicine.

There are free floating aroids such as the Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) and the fully/partially submerged Acorus spp. Duckweeds are also related to the aroids.

Did you know?

The titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) produces the largest inflorescence in the world.  It can reach over 10 feet in height and gives off an unpleasant odour which attracts the  flies which pollinates it.  The deep red colour and texture of the inflorescence resembles a meat which is also helpful in attracting these flies.  The Rafflesia arnoldii, (not an aroid) the largest single flower uses this same trick (smell, look and texture) to get itself pollinated in the equatorial rainforests of Sumatra where both titan arums and rafflesias grow.