Syngonium

Syngonium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical rainforests in southern Mexico, the West Indies, and Central and South America. They are vines growing to heights of 10–20 m or more in trees. Their leaves change shape according to the plant's stage of growth; adult leaf forms are often much more lobed than the juvenile forms usually seen on small house plants. The scientific name of the genus comes from the Greek words σύν (syn - plus, z) and γονή (gone - gonada) and refers to the fused ovaries of female flowers.

Cultivation

Syngonium species are often grown as house plants, usually only in the juvenile foliage stages. Syngonium podophyllum is the most commonly cultivated species, and is often referred to simply as Syngonium. They are easy to propagate in water or soil through cuttings.

Distribution

Syngonium species generally inhabit tropical rainforests, subtropical forests, thickets, urban areas, and wetlands. Invasive species are also troublesome weeds, such as in banana fields.