Arrowhead vine
Syngonium podophyllum

Family: Araceae

What it is like

An evergreen climbing vine. It has roots that attach, to help it climb. It can be 10 m long. The young leaves are simple and green or with white patterns. They are 7-14 cm long. The leaf stalk is 15-60 cm long. The older leaves are divided to the leaf stalk and with 3 parts to the side lobes. The flowers are in a spike in the axils of leaves. The flowers are cream or white. The spike is 1-2 cm long. It has a yellow or white spathe around the flower spike. The fruit is a multiple fruit. It is 3-7 cm long and can be yellow, orange or red. The seeds are brown or black.

There are 36 Syngonium species. It can become a problem plant to control in some locations. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. It needs an even moisture. It needs a reasonably fertile and well drained soil. It can grow in part shade. In tropical Australia it grows from sea level to 10 m altitude. In Central America it grows from 100 - 550 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Hawaii, Marquesas, Mexico (country/location of origin), Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Suriname, Tuvalu, USA, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

Most Araceae can contain calcium oxalate that burns the lips and throat.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution

How it is grown

It can be grown from broken pieces of the stem.

Its other names

Local names

American evergreen, Aninga de cinco, Goosefoot plant, Sitton-sein, Singonio, Trilistni singonij, White butterfly, Xoochil

Synonyms

Syngonium podophyllum var. multisectum Engler; Xanthosoma gracile Miq.; and several others