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Philodendron squamiferum

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Philodendron squamiferum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
Species:
P. squamiferum
Binomial name
Philodendron squamiferum
Poepp. & Engl.

Philodendron squamiferum, known as Squamiferum for short, is a rare species of plant in the family Araceae, native to French Guiana, Suriname, and northern Brazil.[1][2] This climbing plant has leaves with five lobes and has a climbing growth habit. It is well-known among Philodendrons for its distinctive reddish stalks, which are covered in small bristles that give it a hairy appearance.[3]

Description

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Philodendron squamiferum is a rare houseplant with unique five-lobed (five-partite) dark green leaves and a scaly reddish petiole.

Toxicity

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Philodendron squamiferum is toxic because of the presence of calcium oxalate crystals.[4] Oxalate crystals can cause pain and swelling upon contact with the skin or mouth, and pain, swelling, hoarsenes and difficulty swallowing if ingested.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ Marc Gibernau and Denis Barabé, "Pollination ecology of Philodendron squamiferum (Araceae)", Can. J. Bot. 80: 316–320 (2002)
  3. ^ Bown, Deni (2000). Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family. Timber Press. pp. 217–218. ISBN 978-0-88192-485-5.
  4. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2012). CRC world dictionary of medicinal and poisonous plants: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms, and etymology. Boca Raton: CRC press. p. 2879. ISBN 9781420080445.
  5. ^ "Plants That Irritate". Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2023.