Anthurium scandens

• Overview
• Interesting Facts
• Common Names
• Description
• Biology
• Taxonomy
• Similar Species
• More Info
• Further Reading
• Notes

Overview

Interesting Facts

Common Names

Description

Family Araceae

Herbs, perennial , wetland or terrestrial , occasionally emergent or floating, [often epiphytic or climbing ], usually with milky or watery latex, rarely colored . Rhizomes, corms, or stolons present; rhizomes vertical or horizontal, creeping at or near surface , sometimes branched; corms underground, starchy; stolons at or near surface. Stems absent [sometimes aboveground or aerial ]. Cataphylls usually present. Leaves rarely solitary, alternate or clustered; petiole rarely absent, with sheathing base ; blade simple or compound [occasionally perforate ], elliptic to obovate or spatulate , occasionally sagittate-cordate, larger than 1.5 cm; venation parallel or pinnate- or palmate-netted. Inflorescences spadices, each with 3--900 usually tightly grouped, sessile flowers, subtended by spathe ; spathe rarely absent, persistent (sometimes only proximally) or deciduous, variously colored; spadix cylindric or ovoid , various parts occasionally naked or with sterile flowers. Flowers bisexual or unisexual , staminate and pistillate usually on same plants or functionally on different plants, staminate flowers distal to pistillate when unisexual; perianth absent or present; stamens 2--12, distinct or connate in synandria; ovaryies 1, 1--3(--many) -locular, sessile or embedded in spadix; styles 1; stigmas hemispheric , capitate, or discoid [sometimes strongly lobed ]. Fruits berries , distinct or connate at maturity. Seeds 1--40(--many) per berry.

Genera 105, species more than 3300 (8 genera, 10 species in the flora ; species in 10 additional genera may persist locally within flora area, see talbe 203.1) : nearly worldwide, primarily tropical regions .

Araceae are best characterized by the inflorescence, a fleshy cylindric or ovoid, unbranched spadix subtended or surrounded by a spathe. True spathes are absent in the Nearctic genus Orontium and in the Australian genus Gymnostachys. Other plant families with a compressed spadix-like inflorescence, such as Piperaceae and Cyclanthaceae, either do not have a structure equivalent to a spathe (Piperaceae) or have early-deciduous bracts (Cyclanthaceae) . Plants are usually glabrous , rarely pubescent or spiny (pubescent in Pistia) . Many Araceae exhibit typical monocotyledonous parallel leaf venation, but some genera have net leaf venation more typical of dicotyledons.

Infrafamilial classification of the Araceae is under active study. The only classification of the family to date to utilize modern phylogenetic techniques (S. J. Mayo et al. 1997) recognizes seven subfamilies, of which three are represented in native temperate North American aroid flora: Orontioideae (Orontium, Symplocarpus, Lysichiton) ; Calloideae (Calla) ; and Aroideae (Peltandra, Arisaema, and Pistia) . Acorus, a genus historically included in Araceae, is treated as a separate family in theat flora based on extensive morphologic and chemical evidence that supports its removal from Arales (M. H. Grayum 1987) .

The number of genera of Araceae occurring in temperate North America is low in comparison with other continents, and primitive taxa are disproportionately represented. Orontioideae and Calloideae, which include four of the seven native genera found in the flora area, are the basal clades within Araceae. Plants in these subfamilies possess the primitive states for many characteristics in Araceae and share few derived characteristics with other aroid genera (M. H. Grayum 1990) . The more advanced genera native to the flora area include one genus endemic to eastern North America (Peltandra), a pantropical genus with an uncertain native distribution (Pistia), and a genus clearly Eurasian in origin (Arisaema) .

Araceae contain crystals of calcium oxalate , which are often cited as causing the intense irritation experienced when handling or consuming the raw plant tissue of many genera in the family. This supposition is contradicted by the fact that although irritation generally is not produced by properly cooked plants, the crystals remain after heating. Other compounds must therefore be involved with causing this reaction. Studies of Dieffenbachia demonstrated that a proteolytic enzyme , as well as other compounds, are responsible for the severe irritation caused by this plant and that raphides of calcium oxalate do not play a major role (J. Arditti and E. Rodriguez 1982) . Whether irritation is caused by enzymes or crystals, that aspect of Araceae has resulted in aroid genera being included in many lists of poisonous plants (e.g. , K . F. Lampe and M. A. McCann 1985; G. A. Mulligan and D. B . Munro 1990; K. D. Perkins and W. W. Payne 1978) .

Despite the toxic effects of Araceae, species of several genera are cultivated as food plants, mainly as subsistence crops in tropical areas. The major edible Araceae are Colocasia esculenta and several species of Xanthosoma, grown primarily for their corms and sometimes for their leaves. Most North American species of Araceae were historically used by Native Americans, as both food and medicine (T. Plowman 1969) . The family, is currently more valued for its many ornamental species , and is the most important family in North America for indoor foliage plants (T. B. Croat 1994) . Araceae commonly grown as ornamentals in American homes include species of Aglaonema (Chinese-evergreen), Anthurium, Caladium, Dieffenbachia (dumbcane), Epipremnum (golden pothos), Philodendron, Spathiphyllum, Syngonium, and Zantedeschia (calla-lily) .

Plants of some cultivated species of Araceae escape and may persist or naturalize , especially in warmer climates. One of these species, Colocasia esculenta, is widespread enough to warrant full inclusion in the flora, but other introduced species of Araceae are very local in occurrence. Uncommon species represented by herbarium specimens or literature reports as escaped or persisting from cultivation are listed (table 203.1) with distinguishing characteristics and areas of occurrence.[1]

Physical Description

Habitat

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 4,936 meters (0 to 16,194 feet).[2]

Biology

Reproduction

Duration: Perennial

Taxonomy

Synonyms

Anthurium andersonii Schott • Anthurium elegans Engl. • Anthurium fissum K. Koch • Anthurium pentaphyllum Kunth • Dracontium Scandens • Pothos palmatus L.

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

Last scrutiny: 11-Nov-2003

Similar Species

Members of the genus Anthurium

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 91 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in this genus:

A. alatipedunculatum (Anthurium) · A. alticola (Anthurium) · A. amnicola (Hawaiian Tulip) · A. amnicola 'Sweetheart' (Hawaiian Tulip) · A. andraeanum (Flamingo Flower) · A. andraeanum 'Alabama' (Flamingo Flower) · A. andraeanum 'Alani' (Anturio) · A. andraeanum 'Hawaiian Sunrise' (Anturio) · A. andraeanum 'Lime Light' (Anturio) · A. andraeanum 'Margarita' (Anturio) · A. andraeanum 'Midori' (Anturio) · A. andraeanum 'Red Beauty' (Flamingo Flower) · A. andraeanum 'Sunglow' (Anturio) · A. andraeanum 'Tangerine' (Anturio) · A. andraeanum 'Variegata' (Variegated Anthurium) · A. andreanum (Anthurium) · A. andreanum 'Royal Flush' (Anthurium) · A. andreanum 'Sarah' (Flamingo Flower) · A. argyrostachyum (Anthurium) · A. bakeri (Anthurium) · A. beltianum (Anthurium) · A. berriozabalense (Anthurium) · A. bonplandii cuatrecasasii (Anthurium) · A. caloveboranum (Anthurium) · A. caucanum (Anthurium) · A. chiriquense (Anthurium) · A. circinatum (Anthurium) · A. clarinervium (Anthurium) · A. cordatum (Organ Mountain Laceleaf) · A. crassilaminum (Anthurium) · A. crenatum (Scalloped Laceleaf) · A. crystallinum (Crystal Anthurium) · A. cubense 'Aureo variegatum' (Birds Nest Anthurium) · A. dominicense (Lengua De Vaca) · A. durandii (Anthurium) · A. faustinomirandae (Giant Anthurium) · A. globosum (Anthurium) · A. gracile (Red Pearls Anthurium) · A. hacumense (Bird's Nest Anthurium) · A. hookeri (Bird's Nest Anthurium) · A. hutchisonii (Anthurium) · A. imperiale (Birds Nest Anthurium) · A. impolitum (Anthurium) · A. jefense (Anthurium) · A. llewelynii (Anthurium) · A. malianum (Anthurium) · A. nigrescens (Anthurium) · A. obtusum (Anthurium) · A. palmatum (Anthurium) · A. paludosum (Anthurium) · A. pendulifolium (Tail Flower) · A. plowmanii (Anthurium) · A. plowmanii 'Fruffles' (Anthurium) · A. podophyllum (Anthurium) · A. polyschistum (Anthurium) · A. prolatum (Anthurium) · A. protensum (Anthurium) · A. pseudospectabile (Anthurium) · A. reflexinervium (Anthurium) · A. remotigeniculatum (Anthurium) · A. rothschildianum (Anthurium) · A. rupicola (Anthurium) · A. sapense (Anthurium) · A. scandens (Pearl Laceleaf) · A. scherzerianum (Flamingo Flower) · A. scherzerianum 'Red Hot' (Flamingo Flower) · A. schlechtendalii (Bird-Nest Anthurium) · A. schlechtendalii 'Variegata' (Birds Nest Anthurium) · A. selloum (Large Laceleaf) · A. superbum (Anthurium) · A. supraglandulum (Anthurium) · A. tacarcunense (Anthurium) · A. tonduzii (Anthurium) · A. umbrosum (Anthurium) · A. utleyorum (Anthurium) · A. veitchii (King Anthurium) · A. vittarifolium (Anthurium) · A. vittarifolium 'Albo Variegata' (Variegated Anthurium) · A. warocqueanum (Anthurium) · A. watermaliense 'Albovariegata' (Anturio Negro) · A. wendlingeri (Anthurium) · A. 'Acropolis' (Anthurium) · A.'Cotton Candy' (Cotton Candy Anthurium) · A. 'Dwarf Butterfly Pink' (Anthurium) · A. 'Haiti Pink' (Anthurium Hybrid) · A. 'Hawaiian' (Dwarf Butterfly Anthurium) · A. 'Kimi' (Obake Hybrid) · A. 'Marie' (Anthurium) · A. 'Oshiro' (Obake Hybrid) · A. 'Pearl' (Obake Hybrid) · A. 'Rainbow' (Obake Hybrid)

More Info

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Further Reading

• A contribution to the flora of Honduras, by T. G. Yuncker. 17 1938 Chicago, 1938. url p. 317.
• A montane rain-forest; a contribution to the physiological plant geography of Jamaica, Washington, D. C., Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1914. url , .
• Addisonia: colored illustrations and popular descriptions of plants. New York: New York Botanical Garden, 1916-[1964]. url , , , , , p. 23, p. 65, p. 68, p. 69, p. 73.
• An enumeration of the vascular plants known from Surinam: together with their distribution and synonymy / by A. Pulle. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1906. url p. 512, p. 76.
• Britton, N. L. (ed.). North American flora. [New York]New York Botanical Garden. url p. 606, p. 856.
• Carnegie Institution of Washington publication. Washington, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1902- url p. 20, p. 30.
• Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 50 2004 Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1890- url p. 127, p. 2, p. 26, p. 27, p. 3, p. 38, p. 39, p. 399, p. 404, p. 405, p. 455, p. 463.
• Contributions from the University of Michigan Herbarium. 9 1966 Ann Arbor: University Herbarium, University of Michigan, 1939- url p. 65, p. 89.
• Contributions to the flora of Venezuela / Julian A. Steyermark and collaborators. 28 1957 Chicago, Ill.: Chicago Natural History Museum, 1957. url p. 816, p. 818.
• Flora of Costa Rica. .. by Paul C. Standley. .. 18 1937 Chicago, 1937. url p. 135.
• Flora of Guatemala / by Paul C. Standley and Julian A. Steyermark. 24 1958 Chicago: Chicago Museum of Natural History, 1958. url p. 315, p. 316.
• Flora of Peru / by J. Francis Macbride. 13 1936 Chicago, U.S.A.: Field Museum of Natural History, [1936] url p. 455, p. 456.
• Flora of the Aguan valley and the coastal regions near La Ceiba, Honduras, by T. G. Yuncker. 9 1940 [Chicago]1940. url p. 263.
• Flora of the Lancetilla Valley, Honduras, by Paul C. Standley. 10 1931 Chicago, Field Museum of Natural History, 1931. url p. 119.
• Flora of the islands of Margarita and Coche, Venezuela / by John Robert Johnston. Boston: Gray Herbarium of Harvard University, 1909. url p. 285.
• Journal of the New York Botanical Garden. 14 1913 Lancaster, Pa.: Published for the Garden by the New Era Printing Co., 1900- url p. 183, p. 86, plate CXXVI.
• Phytologia memoirs. Plainfield, N.J.: H.N. Moldenke and A.L. Moldenke, 1980- url p. 81.
• Phytologia. Bronx Park, New York, H.A. Gleason and H.N. Moldenke, url p. 34, p. 35.
• Proceedings - California Academy of Sciences, 4th series. San Francisco, California Academy of Sciences. url p. 447.
• Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 4th series. San Francisco, California Academy of Sciences. url p. 379, p. 447.
• The Journal of the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture. San Juan: [Board of Commissioners of Agriculture, 1917]. url p. 179.
• The classification of flowering plants. Cambridge, Univ. Press, 1904-25. url p. 261.
• The forests and flora of British Honduras / by Paul C. Standley and Samuel J. Record; in cooperation with the Conservator of Forests and the Agricultural Officer of the Colony. 12 1936 Chicago: [Field Museum of Natural History], 1936. url p. 88.
• Bown, D. 1988. Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family. Portland.
• Grayum, M. H. 1990. Evolution and phylogeny of the Araceae. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 77: 628--697.
• Lampe, K. F. and M. A. McCann. 1985. AMA Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants. Chicago.
• Mayo, S. J., J. Bogner, and P. C. Boyce. 1997. The Genera of Araceae. 1 vol. + laser disc. [London.]
• Mulligan, G. A. and D. B. Munro. 1990. Poisonous Plants of Canada. Ottawa, Canada.
• Perkins, K. D. and W. W. Payne. 1978. Guide to the Poisonous and Irritant Plants of Florida. Gainesville, Florida.
• Plowman, T. 1969. Folk uses of New World aroids. Econ. Bot. 23: 97--122.
• Thompson, S. A. 1995. Systematics and Biology of the Araceae and Acoraceae of Temperate North America. Ph.D. dissertation. University of Illinois. Add Urbana-Champaign.
• Wilson, K. A. 1960. The genera of the Arales in the southeastern United States. J. Arnold Arbor. 41: 47--72.

Notes

Contributors

• Bisby, F.A., Y.R. Roskov, M.A. Ruggiero, T.M. Orrell, L.E. Paglinawan, P.W. Brewer, N. Bailly, J. van Hertum, eds (2007). Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2007 Annual Checklist. Species 2000: Reading, U.K.
• Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-present. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Zwaag, The Netherlands. Accessed January 15, 2012.
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed January 18, 2007. http://www.gbif.org Mediated distribution data from provider.
• Ruggiero M., Gordon D., Bailly N., Kirk P., Nicolson D. (2011). The Catalogue of Life Taxonomic Classification, Edition 2, Part A. In: Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2011 Annual Checklist (Bisby F.A., Roskov Y.R., Orrell T.M., Nicolson D., Paglinawan L.E., Bailly N., Kirk P.M., Bourgoin T., Baillargeon G., Ouvrard D., eds). DVD; Species 2000: Reading, UK.
• The International Plant Names Index. Accessed Jan 19, 2007.
• USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL (April 25, 2008)
• World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Release date: November 27, 2009

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal December 01, 2007:

• Biologiezentrum der Oberoesterreichischen Landesmuseen, Biologiezentrum Linz
• Comisión nacional para el conocimiento y uso de la biodiversidad, Herbario del Instituto de Ecología, A.C., México
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Virtual Herbarium Darwin Core format
• Herbarium of the University of Aarhus, The AAU Herbarium Database
• Herbier de la Guyane, Herbier de la Guyane
• Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad
• , Biodiversidad de Costa Rica
• Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden
• SysTax, Herbarium Universitat Ulm
• SysTax, SysTax
• University of Vienna, Institute for Botany - Herbarium WU, Herbarium WU

Identifiers

• Biodiversity Heritage Library NamebankID: 2662275
• Catalogue of Life Accepted Name Code: Kew-11668
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility Taxonkey: 14254530
• Globally Unique Identifier: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:85333-1
• GRIN Nomen Number: 3617
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 42562
• International Plant Names Index (IPNI) ID: 1168029-1
• U.S.D.A. Plant Symbol: ANSC4
• Zipcode Zoo Species Identifier: 21639

Footnotes

1. Sue A. Thompson "Araceae". in Flora of North America Vol. 22. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
2. Mean = 817.290 meters (2,681.398 feet), Standard Deviation = 1,070.800 based on 1,465 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]

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