Epipremnum aureum: Difference between revisions
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The plant is listed as "toxic to [[cats]], toxic to [[dogs]]" by the [[ASPCA]], due to the presence of insoluble [[calcium oxalate|calcium oxalates]]. Care should be taken to ensure the plant is not consumed by house pets or children. Symptoms may include oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.<ref name='aspca_site'> {{cite web|url=http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/devils_ivy.html |title=Devils Ivy |accessdate=2009-03-11 |work=ASPCA.org }}</ref> |
The plant is listed as "toxic to [[cats]], toxic to [[dogs]]" by the [[ASPCA]], due to the presence of insoluble [[calcium oxalate|calcium oxalates]]. Care should be taken to ensure the plant is not consumed by house pets or children. Symptoms may include oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.<ref name='aspca_site'> {{cite web|url=http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/devils_ivy.html |title=Devils Ivy |accessdate=2009-03-11 |work=ASPCA.org }}</ref> |
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== Invasive Species == |
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This creeper can become an invasive species when introduced into other tropical countries. In Sri Lanka it overgrows several acres of the Udawattakele Forest Reserve in Kandy.<ref name='article'> {{cite web|url=http://thakshana.nsf.ac.lk/pdf/JNSF26-34/JNSF29_1&2/JNSF29_1&2_35.pdf |title='W. De Costa, H. Hitanayake and I. Dharmawardena, “A Physiological Investigation into the Invasive Behaviour of Some Plant Species in a Mid-Country Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka” |accessdate=2009-03-11 |work=JNSFSL, 2001, 29 (1 & 2):35–50 }}</ref> The creeper, having no natural enemies, completely overgrows the forest floor as well as the trunks of trees causing severe ecological disruption. It also invades the Kurulukele Forest Reserve in Kegalla and other places where it has been planted as decorative plant or to hold steep banks along roads. It is also an invasive species in the state Florida of the USA.<ref name='USDA Plants Profile site'> {{cite web|url=http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=EPPI |title=PLANTS Profile Epipremnum pinnatum |accessdate=2009-03-11 |work=USDA.org }}</ref> |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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Revision as of 17:52, 14 February 2010
| Epipremnum aureum | |
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| A variegated cultivar of Epipremnum aureum | |
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| Species: | E. aureum
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| Binomial name | |
| Epipremnum aureum | |
Epipremnum aureum, also known as the Pothos (once classified under the genus Pothos), Silver Vine, Money Plant, Centipede tongavine, Devil's Ivy and Solomon Islands' Ivy, is an aroid native to southeastern Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia) and New Guinea. It is sometimes mistakenly labeled as a Philodendron in plant stores.
It is a liana growing to 20 m tall, with stems up to 4 cm diameter, climbing by means of aerial roots which hook over tree branches. The leaves are evergreen, alternate, heart-shaped, entire on juvenile plants, but irregularly pinnatifid on mature plants, up to 100 cm long and 45 cm broad (juvenile leaves much smaller, typically under 20 cm long). The flowers are produced in a spathe up to 23 cm long. This plant produces trailing stems when it climbs up trees and these take root when they reach the ground and grow along it. The leaves on these trailing stems grow up to 10cm long and are the ones normally seen on this plant when it is cultivated as a pot plant.
Cultivation and uses
It is a popular houseplant with numerous cultivars selected for leaves with white, yellow, or light green variegation. It is often used in decorative displays in shopping centers, offices, and other public locations largely because it is a very hardy plant that requires little care and is also attractively leafy. It is also efficient at removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene[1][2] A study found that this effect became less the higher the molecular weight of the polluting substance. [3]
As a houseplant it can reach a height of two meters or more, given suitable support. For best results it requires medium indirect light; bright light is tolerated, but lengthy spells of direct sun will scorch the leaves. The plant prefers a temperature of between 17 to 30 °C (63 to 86 °F). Generally it only needs water when the soil begins to feel dry to the touch. For best results a liquid fertilizer can be added in spring, and they should be repotted every couple of years. However, this is a robust plant that can stand a very high degree of abuse. It will grow hydroponically quite readily.
The plant is listed as "toxic to cats, toxic to dogs" by the ASPCA, due to the presence of insoluble calcium oxalates. Care should be taken to ensure the plant is not consumed by house pets or children. Symptoms may include oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.[4]
Invasive Species
This creeper can become an invasive species when introduced into other tropical countries. In Sri Lanka it overgrows several acres of the Udawattakele Forest Reserve in Kandy.[5] The creeper, having no natural enemies, completely overgrows the forest floor as well as the trunks of trees causing severe ecological disruption. It also invades the Kurulukele Forest Reserve in Kegalla and other places where it has been planted as decorative plant or to hold steep banks along roads. It is also an invasive species in the state Florida of the USA.[6]
External links
- Pothos Production Guide - discusses care of this plant
- [1] - How to grow your own fresh air
- [2] - TED video - Kamal Meattle on How to Grow Your Own Fresh Air
See also
- Jade plant (also referred to as "money tree")
- Annual honesty (also referred to as "money plant")
References
- ^ Wolverton, B. C. How To Grow Fresh Air, Penguin Books, New York, 1997.
- ^ How to grow your own fresh air
- ^ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VH3-4R0643J-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=959910983&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=30376575d672da44a1075f90a26e7661
- ^ "Devils Ivy". ASPCA.org. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
- ^ "'W. De Costa, H. Hitanayake and I. Dharmawardena, "A Physiological Investigation into the Invasive Behaviour of Some Plant Species in a Mid-Country Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka"" (PDF). JNSFSL, 2001, 29 (1 & 2):35–50. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
- ^ "PLANTS Profile Epipremnum pinnatum". USDA.org. Retrieved 2009-03-11.