Tree philodendron, Twicecut philodendron
Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum

Family: Araceae

What it is like

An evergreen herb. It is a tree like shrub. It grows 2-3 m high. The stems can be erect or lie over. The leaves are oval and 1 m long. They are deeply lobed. They have irregular secondary lobes. The leaves are dark green and the edges are ruffled. The leaf stalk is short. The flowers are of one sex. The spathe is white. The fruit are pale yellow or white. The seeds are cylinder shaped and 2 mm long.

There are about 500-750 Philodendron species. They grow in tropical America and the West Indies.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical rainforests. It needs regular moisture. It needs a fertile, sandy, humus rich, well drained soil. It does best in full sunlight. It grows from sea level to 1,100 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Hawaii, Indonesia, Pacific, Paraguay, SE Asia, South America, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The very ripe fruit are eaten raw. The fruit are also cooked and eaten. They are also used to make juice boiled with sugar. They are used in jams and jellies.

Edible parts

Fruit, tuber

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Aningaiba, Banana de macaco, Banana del monte, Cipo-imbe, Cut-leaf philodendron, Filodendron Seloum, Guembe, Selloum

Synonyms

Arum pinnatifidum Vell.; Philodendron bipinnatifidum Schott ex Kunth; Philodendron selloum K. Koch; Philodendron pygmaeum Chodat & Vischer; and others