Scientific name Monstera Rank Genus | Tribe Monstereae Higher classification Arum | |
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Similar Swiss cheese plant, Philodendron, Dumb canes, Dracaena, Chlorophytum | ||
Repotting a 32 year old monster monstera deliciosa cheese plant
Monstera is a genus of about 50 species of flowering plants in the arum family, Araceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas. The genus is named from the Latin word for "monstrous" or "abnormal", and refers to the unusual leaves with natural holes that members of the genus have.
Contents
They are herbs or evergreen vines, growing to heights of 20 metres (66 ft) in trees, climbing by means of aerial roots which act as hooks over branches; these roots will also grow into the soil to help support the plant. The leaves are alternate, leathery, dark green, very large, from 25–90 centimetres (9.8–35.4 in) long (up to 130 centimetres (51 in) long in M. dubia) and 15–75 centimetres (5.9–29.5 in) broad, often with holes in the leaf blade. The flowers are borne on a specialised inflorescence called a spadix, 5–45 centimetres (2.0–17.7 in) long; the fruit is a cluster of white berries, edible in some species.
They are commonly grown indoors as houseplants. The best-known representative of the genus, Monstera deliciosa, is also cultivated for its edible fruit which tastes like a combination of banana and pineapple.
The variety in the picture is a trailer, which has heart shaped perforated leaves; the climber type has rectangular shaped perforated leaves.
Species
As of July 2014 The Plant List recognises 48 accepted taxa (of species and infraspecific names):
Previously included: