Common Name: Angel Wings

General Information

Angel wings is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of colourful leaves up to 80cm tall from a tuberous base.
The plant is occasionally gathered from the wild and used as a food source by local peoples[]. It is often grown as an ornamental plant in tropical gardens, where it is valued particularly for its attractive foliage[]. The arrowhead-shaped leaves, which can be up to 50cm long, are various shades of green mottled and blotched with pink, red, white or combinations thereof, often with distinctively coloured veins[].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a family where most of the members contain calcium oxalate crystals. This substance is toxic fresh and, if eaten, makes the mouth, tongue and throat feel as if hundreds of small needles are digging in to them. However, calcium oxalate is easily broken down either by thoroughly cooking the plant or by fully drying it and, in either of these states, it is safe to eat the plant.
People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, north through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Shady positions in moist, fertile soils[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of lowland to moderate elevations in moist tropical areas.
Prefers a moist, fertile, humus-rich, acidic soil in part shade or filtered sun[]. Grows well in bright shade, but avoid direct sun where the leaves will scorch[]. Plants dislike dry conditions when in active growth[]. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds[].
The plant is present on many Pacific Islands and has the potential to become a weed[].
Like many species in the family Araceae, this plant has the ability to heat the flowering spadix as the pollen becomes ready for fertilization. This heat greatly increases the strength of the aroma released by the plant, thus attracting more pollinating insects. It can also have the effect of making the insects more active, thus increasing the level of fertilization[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit[].

Medicinal

The powdered tuber is used to treat facial skin blemishes[].

All parts of the leaf are macerated in fresh water for an external bath to remedy numerous maladies of children[].
Crushed leaves are used in veterinary medicine to destroy vermin on sores of cattle[].

The juice of the stems is used in the form of an enema to expel roundworms[].
When applied to the skin, the juice destroys maggots[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Division.

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