Common Name:

General Information

Monstera adansonii ia an evergreen, climbing, epiphytic plant producing stems 2 - 4 metres long, occasionally to 6 metres[]. The seed germinates in the soil the plant creeping along the ground until it finds a woody plant that it can grow up - it then forms aerial roots and often loses the stem connection to its original roots[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its attractive, perforated leaves.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

The plant contains 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, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Honduras; Caribbean - Trinidad, Leeward & Windward I

Habitat

An epiphyte, climbing on the trunks of trees in dense rain forest[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland tropics, moist through the growing season, drier in the cool season[]. Plants are surprisingly able to withstand light frosts with only slight damage to the leaves[, ].
Succeeds in the dappled shade of the woodland[].
The plant forms two types of aerial roots from the nodes and internodes of the stems - one type grows down to the ground where it roots and is a source of moisture and nutrients, the other type is an anchor root, growing around the stem of the host plant[].
A very variable species, at times it has been subdivided into several different species though it has now been shown that these can all intergrade into each other[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is used as a remedy for boils. A decoction of the crushed plant is applied topically[, ].

The stem is used as a remedy for scorpion and snake bites[].

The sap produces a burning sensation and is occasionally used to treat necrotic ulcers[]

The leaves are used as a treatment for abcesses and pain[]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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