(Last Modified On 10/25/2012)
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(Last Modified On 10/25/2012)
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Species
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MONSTERA DELICIOSA Liebm.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Vid. Medd. Naturh. For. 19. 1850.
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Description
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A large, coarse, epiphytic vine, often climbing high on trees, the caudex terete, as much as 6 cm. or even more in diameter, the internodes often 7 cm. long or more, the nodes frequently emitting long aerial roots that dangle far below the caudex; petioles 1 m. long or less, 2-2.5 cm. in diameter, the sheath ending far below the base of the blade, the node as much as 3 cm. long; blades of the primary leaves small, cordate, entire, of the succeeding leaves ovate-cordate and sparsely perforated; blades of the adult leaves 40-60 cm. wide or larger, thick-coriaceous when dried, bright green and lustrous above, somewhat paler beneath, cordate- ovate in outline, almost regularly pinnatifid and with few or numerous perfora- tions along the costa, the segments linear or broadly linear, somewhat dilated toward the apex and cuspidate-acuminate; peduncles 10-15 cm. long, 1-1.5 cm. thick; spathe coriaceous, broadly ovate, apiculate, 20-25 cm. long, 15-17 cm. wide when spread out, pale yellowish; spadix 17-20 cm. long, becoming thick and juicy in fruit; pistils turbinate; berries pale yellow, somewhat tinged with violet, 1 cm. long.
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Distribution
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On trees in humid lowland forest, Panama to southern Mexico.
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Specimen
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CANAL ZONE: Barro Colorado Island, Kenoyer i83. CHIRIQUI: Rio Boquete below Quiel, 1000-1300 m., Pittier 3151; Bajo Chorro, 1900 m., Woodson & Schery 634.
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Note
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This species is well known in some parts of Central America, as well as in Mexico, by the name Pinjanona. It is the species of Monstera most often seen in cultivation in the United States and elsewhere. The fruiting spadices are larger than those of other species, sweet and juicy when fully ripened, and rather good to eat.
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