Syngonium

Biology

The syngonium has alternate, three-lobed, arrow-shaped leaves that can vary in size and colour with age. It has adapted leaves, called bracts, which surround a spadix. Numerous flowers develop in this structure and later produce a reddish fruit.

Conservation

For the ability to spread in the deep shade of forests, this plant is considered a weed of the tropical regions, which can establish itself in closed forests, open woodlands, riparian areas, roadsides, waste areas and abandoned gardens. It is invasive in United States, South Africa, Singapore and the Caribbean, and may form dense mats either on the floor or in stems.

Curiosities

This is a climbing epiphytic plant because it grows supported by the stems of other trees. Therefore it can reach 10 metres in height, and even more in taller trees.