Syngonium podophyllum is the most commonly cultivated species in the genus Syngonium, and is often referred to simply as syngonium. It was originally confused with the similar-looking African genus Nephthytis, and this is still used as a common name for the plant. It was given its own genus in 1879. The Latin specific epithetpodophyllum means “with stout-stalked leaves”.
Description
It climbs a few meters tall over the trunks of tropical jungle trees, clinging to their roots. The cultivars cultivated indoors reach a height of up to 1.5 m. During the year, the plant grows about 30 cm and produces 6-7 leaves. Its single, long-legged leaves, usually arrow-shaped, are up to 30 cm long. In wild, the leaves are dark green and without variegation. Cultivated varieties have leaves in various shades of green, often light green and usually with different types of lighter tannins. There are several variegated cultivars, the main differences being in the position and extent of the cream or white markings. Some leaves are almost entirely white, pink or yellow. Its flowers are small, greenish, collected in a flask, covered with a purple-red scabbard. However, the plants grown indoors do not bloom, aside from the older, well-cared-for specimens.
Cultivation
As a creeper, it needs some support. It can also be grown as a groundcover plant. The soil should be humus and systematically watered. Varieties with bright leaves with dyes need a well-lit place, though those with dark green leaves can grow in a darker place. The summer temperature should not exceed 24°C, in winter it should not be lower than 15 ° C. Requiring moist air, it should be watered 2-3 times a week in summer, but much less often in winter. To ensure adequate humidity, the plant pot should be placed in a larger container with constantly moist peat and sprayed with water daily. Dusty leaves are to be wiped with a damp cloth. Feed in the summer with a small dose of fertilizers dissolved in water. After a few years of cultivation, the plant becomes unattractive, where it cutting is advisable, then it will release new shoots. It should be transplanted only when necessary. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Propagation
The plant can be propagated by cuttings in water, or straight into potting compost. Nonetheless, both methods have a good success rate, providing the right part of the plant is cut. Cuttings using the rooting machine are rooted in a multiplier at a temperature of 18°C. Seedlings from the tops of the shoots are the easiest for sprouting, the hardest from the bottom part of the stem.
Toxicity
All parts of the plant are poisonous and cause severe mouth pain if eaten. It is not unusual to find these growing in Sub-tropical Florida landscapes, where homeowners and Gardeners need to be aware of the severe skin burning sensations caused by the plants sap containing oxalic acid and the eye damage potential from raphides.
Varieties
Among the wild populations, two varieties are formally recognized:
Syngonium podophyllum var. peliocladum Croat - Costa Rica, Panama
Syngonium podophyllum var. podophyllum - widespread as a native from Mexico to Brazil and Bolivia, as well as Trinidad; naturalized in the West Indies, Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Seychelles, Borneo, and Malaysia
