Accession Data:
Monstera deliciosa Liebm.
- Common Name: Swiss Cheese Plant
- Family: Araceae Juss.
- Country of Origin: Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas) to C. America
- Habitat: epiphytic vine
- Description: A jungle climbing relative of the philodendron from Mexico and Guatemala. It is seen in gardens in tropical and subtropical areas, growing well in partial sun or shade. The plant begins bearing after three years. Popular as a houseplant, it seldom fruits in the home. The large petiole or axis; also applied to how the lateral veins are arranged in relation to the main vein.">pinnate leaves are perforated with oblong or oval holes, hence one common name. The 9", dull, deep green, cone-like fruit is actually an unripened flower spike, covered with hexagonal scales that dry out and separate as the fruit ripens from the base upwards, revealing the white pulp. It takes a little longer than a year to mature to an edible stage. Unripe fruit, if eaten causes irritation to the mouth and throat because of the oxalic acid. It can be induced to ripen by picking when the base has started to wrinkle and wrapping in a bag for a few days. When unwrapped, the scales should have separated.
Another interesting characteristic of this plant is that the seedlings, upon germination, will grow in the direction of the darkest area (not just merely away from light) until they encounter the base of a tree to grow on. They will then begin to climb toward the light which is generally up into the canopy of the tree upon which it is growing.
Propagated by cuttings of mature wood or air layering.
- Uses: Unripe fruit can cause swelling of mucous membranes...
- USDA Zone: 10a-11
Accession Data:
- Accession # 198500876
- Source: Unknown
- Accession Date: 12-31-1985
- Bench: 4112 - EPI: North Wall
- Currently: active - healthy
- Qty: 2 confirmed on 02-21-2023
- Restrictions:
- Poisonous Plant Parts - Not for Human Consumption
- Poisonous Plant Parts - Not for Human Consumption
Classification:
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Liliopsida
- SubClass: monocots
- Order: Alismatales
- SubOrder:
- Family: Araceae
- SubFamily: Monsteroideae
- Tribe: Monstereae
- SubTribe:
References (internal):
- Fenestrate
- EEB 3271 - Systematic Botany
- EEB 3203 - Developmental Plant Morphology
- Floriculture CDE Plant List
- Scavenger Hunt - Grades 9-12 (generic)
- EEB Greenhouse Holdings native to: Mexico Gulf / Mexico Southwest / Mexico Southeast / Costa Rica / Guatemala / Honduras / Nicaragua / Panama
References (external):
- California Rare Fruit Growers WWW Site
- The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Last accessed on Tuesday, March 01, 2016.
- WCSP (2016). World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Last accessed on Tuesday, March 01, 2016.
- R. Strong Jr, Donald & S. Ray Jr, Thomas. (1975). Host Tree Location Behavior of a Tropical Vine (Monstera gigantea) by Skototropism. Science. 190. 804-806. 10.1126/science.190.4216.804. Last accessed on Thursday, May 24, 2018.
data regenerated on Thu, 16 Mar 2023 08:33:11 -0400 [bcm v4.0]
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W/C = Wild Collected
= indicates flowering in past 14 days
= images available for this accession
= map available for this accession
= accession added within past 90 days