NOID AROID-ISH CUTTING - HELP, PLEASE IDENTIFY!

Hi.

I could tell you a neighbor left this on my doorstep but that would be lying.

I saw this NOID aroid-ish plant growing over an 8-foot fence in a quiet lane. I pulled out my pocket knife and stole it. So there, I admitted it. If you repeat it, I'll deny it. No good can come from that.

There were at least 50 times what I stole climbing over that fence. I do not think it will be missed, specially since that house has been vacant for over 1 year. You gotta love that kind of plant and you gotta love South Florida: it got absolutely no care at all except the rain that falls from the sky and it is busy taking over an 8-foot high fence. Its weight may very well collapse that rickety fence one day soon.

Anyhow, I have pictures for you aroid experts, if you would like to give it a shot. Let's start with the whole cutting. I sat it on my barbecue to take the picture and give you an idea of scale. The cutting's stem has been sitting in my pond's water for 5 days now, awaiting identification and eventual planting.

So, here we go.

Sylvain.

Here is the stem end, that I intend to plant in a very large pot.

Here is a detail of the compound leaf (is it really a compound leaf?) I could be wrong.

And last but not least, this fruiting structure. Memory fails me... what is it called? My philodendron monstera deliciosa produces those also. Go ahead, laugh... you'll have brain backfires one day.

Thanks for your expertise and interest.
Sylvain.

I'm really shocked! And I always thought polar bears only carried knives for self defence, not for attacking plants. I'm totally disillusioned now! ;O)

That's a Syngonium species. I have them running around my garden and up into the treees. Once they're in you can never get rid of them. And if you rip them out and throw them away, they keep on growing where you threw them. Their stems will go fairly deep into the ground so if you try pulling them out bits break off and they all start sprouting new plants. I'd recommend keeping them in pots where they can be controlled.

The leaves of young plants are more arrow-head shaped. The leaves on your cutting are from mature plants.

Syngonium it is - we have some just like it growing wild around here. I have several species growing up my largest Royal Palm, too.

Hi, everyone.

Actually, it's a pocket knife I carry around on my key chain with a blade all of 1 1/4 inch long. I use it once in a while, never for truly respectable purposes. I have been known to do some chlorophilian sampling here and there on occasion, though the process horrified me when I realized my fellow gardeners were doing it. I was appaled. Now, I carry a good sharp blade with me and baggies under my hat. Of course, that cutting would only fit in a kitchen garbage bag, but that's another story.

Polar bears are their own self defense: no knife needed. I used to be a wrestler (greco-roman at first and WWF-style later) in high school and college. If attacked, and although I am not 18 anymore, I can still incapacitate a would-be miscreant by getting him to the ground very quickly, fall over them and put them to sleep. Or, if I grab him from behind, put him to sleep and let gravity topple him. Then, I can sit on my opponent and call 911. Very effective.

Thank you, TB and LA for your identification. That syngonium is going in to find a nice home in a very large pot where it will enjoy my attentive ministrations and liberal doses of MiracleGro. I should need a machette within a year.

Keep well, everyone.
Sylvain.

My husband and I lived in the Philippines in the 80's and they have those vines growing all over the place (on houses and other buildings.) They get huge.

This message was edited Sep 20, 2010 10:11 PM

I like plants that get huge without too much coaxing. I think we will get along just fine.

Sylvain.

Sylvain,

They will even attach to your walls outside. But be careful, you see what they are doing to the fence. As your new growth starts it may look like you are used to seeing it....all nice and small with an arrow shape.

I learned from this wonderful form and it's great teachers that as they grow up things, their leaf changes to what you have. Just like the little pothos; as it grows, the leaves get gianormous and split. Ain't plants great?

Hugs,

Nancy