Philodendron squamiferum

Philodendron squamiferum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Alismatales
Family:	Araceae
Genus:	Philodendron
Species:	P. squamiferum
Binomial name
Philodendron squamiferum Poepp. & Engl.

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 Philodendron species 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, hoarseness and difficulty swallowing if ingested. ^[5]

See also

• List of Philodendron species

References

1. 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. Bown, Deni (2000). Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family. Timber Press. pp. 217–218. ISBN   978-0-88192-485-5.
4. Quattrocchi, Umberto (2012). CRC world dictionary of medicinal and poisonous plants: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms, and etymology. Boca Raton: CRC press. p. 2879. ISBN   9781420080445.
5. "Plants That Irritate". Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2023.