Warning
Seek urgent medical attention if lips or tongue become swollen or if there is difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Description
Often seen as an indoor pot plant this species is also used as a garden specimen, where it can become an aggressive climber.
The flowers are similar to those of other species in the aroid family, consisting of a green to yellow or white spathe or sheath surrounding a spadix or spike of minute flowers.
The leaves commonly have a three lobed or parted arrangement, which can become 5 to 7-parted when mature. When the plant is grown as an indoor specimen, the leaves are most often variegated green with white.
Toxicity
Symptoms
All parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. If chewed or eaten, symptoms include gastric irritation, salivation, a tingling or burning sensation of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat followed by swelling.
Details
Common name: Arrow head plant
Botanical name: Syngonium species. The most common species are Syngonium podophyllum, Syngonium macrophyllum.
Other common names: White butterfly, Arrowhead vine, Syngonium
Family: Araceae
General description: Often seen as an indoor pot plant this species is also used as a garden specimen, where it can become an aggressive climber.
Flowers: The flowers are similar to those of other species in the aroid family, consisting of a green to yellow or white spathe or sheath surrounding a spadix or spike of minute flowers.
Leaves: The leaves commonly have a three lobed or parted arrangement, which can become 5 to 7-parted when mature. When the plant is grown as an indoor specimen, the leaves are most often variegated green with white. If grown as a shaded garden specimen, the leaves can become all green rather than variegated with white. The leaves and stem can measure up to 30cm.