Spathiphyllum

Spathiphyllum
Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Monsteroideae
Tribe: Spathiphylleae
Genus: Spathiphyllum
Schott
Map of the natural distribution
Synonyms[1]
  • Hydnostachyon Liebm.
  • Massowia K.Koch
  • Spathiphyllopsis Teijsm. & Binn.
  • Amomophyllum Engl.
  • Leucochlamys Poepp. ex Engl.

Spathiphyllum is a genus of about 40 species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas and southeastern Asia. Certain species of Spathiphyllum are commonly known as Spath or peace lilies.

They are evergreen herbaceous perennial plants with large leaves 12–65 cm long and 3–25 cm broad. The flowers are produced in a spadix, surrounded by a 10–30 cm long, white, yellowish, or greenish spathe. The plant does not need large amounts of light or water to survive.

Etymology

Schott's description of the genus refers to Spatha foliaris persistens,[2] where spatha is a spathe, and foliaris is an adjective modifying spathe, meaning relating to a leaf, and persistens means continuing or persisting. Phyllum also means a leaf.[3]

Selected species

Species include:[4]

  • Spathiphyllum atrovirens
  • Spathiphyllum bariense
  • Spathiphyllum blandum
  • Spathiphyllum brevirostre
  • Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum
  • Spathiphyllum commutatum
  • Spathiphyllum cuspidatum
  • Spathiphyllum floribundum
  • Spathiphyllum friedrichsthalii
  • Spathiphyllum fulvovirens
  • Spathiphyllum gardneri
  • Spathiphyllum grandifolium
  • Spathiphyllum jejunum
  • Spathiphyllum juninense
  • Spathiphyllum kalbreyeri
  • Spathiphyllum kochii
  • Spathiphyllum laeve
  • Spathiphyllum lechlerianum
  • Spathiphyllum maguirei
  • Spathiphyllum mawarinumae
  • Spathiphyllum monachinoi
  • Spathiphyllum montanum
  • Spathiphyllum neblinae
  • Spathiphyllum patini
  • Spathiphyllum perezii
  • Spathiphyllum phryniifolium
  • Spathiphyllum quindiuense
  • Spathiphyllum silvicola
  • Spathiphyllum solomonense
  • Spathiphyllum wallisii
  • Spathiphyllum wendlandii

Cultivated hybrids include:[5]

Cultivation and uses

Several species are popular indoor houseplants. It lives best in shade and needs little sunlight to thrive, and is watered approximately once a week. The soil is best left moist but only needs watering if the soil is dry. The NASA Clean Air Study found that Spathiphyllum cleans indoor air of certain environmental contaminants, including benzene and formaldehyde.[6]

Toxicity

Spathiphyllum is mildly toxic to humans and animals when ingested.[7][8] The Peace Lily is not a true lily from the Liliaceae family. True lilies are much more toxic to cats and dogs.[9][10] The Peace Lily contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause skin irritation, a burning sensation in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and nausea.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ↑ Heinrich Wilhelm Schott and Stephan Endlicher (1832). Meletemata botanica. C. Gerold, made available online by The Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. ↑ Stearn, W.T. (1992). Botanical Latin: History, grammar, syntax, terminology and vocabulary, Fourth edition. David and Charles.
  4. ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
  5. ↑ Edward F. Gilman (1999). "Spathiphyllum x 'Clevelandii', Fact Sheet FPS-555" (PDF). University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service.
  6. ↑ Anne Raver (February 13, 1994). "Need an Air Freshener? Try Plants". New York Times.
  7. ↑ University of California -- Toxic Plants (list)
  8. ↑ http://www.entirelypets.com/toxicplants.html EntirelyPets.com article
  9. ↑ Fitzgerald, Kevin T. (2010). "Lily Toxicity in the Cat". Topics in Companion Animal Medicine. 25 (4): 213–217. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2010.09.006. ISSN 1938-9736.
  10. ↑ "Peace Lily". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  11. ↑ "Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants - Peace Lily". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
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