Pearl lace leaf
Anthurium scandens

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A vine that grows attached to other plants or on rocks. It climbs by roots that attach to other plants and it grows 1-2 m long. The stems hang down. There is a fibrous sheath between the nodes. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaf blades are narrowly oval to sword shaped and 8-13 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The flowering groups are erect in the axils of the leaves. The flower spadix is 1-2 cm long. There is a spathe around the flower that curves back. The fruit are flattened berries. They are 5 mm across. They are juicy and white when ripe. The seeds are 1 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows attached to other plants in wet forests up to 1,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, South America, West Indies

How it is used for food

The ripe berries are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It flowers and fruits throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Elotillo, Elotico, Maicillo

Synonyms

Many