Monstera adansonii
Monstera adansonii
Safety & 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[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ].
Botanical Description
Monstera adansonii ia an evergreen, climbing, epiphytic plant producing stems 2 - 4 metres long, occasionally to 6 metres[ 916 Title Contributions from the Gray Herbarium Vol. 207 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Harvard University; Massachusets Year 1977 ISBN Description A botanical journal, it contains a revision of the genus Monstera. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. 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[ 916 Title Contributions from the Gray Herbarium Vol. 207 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Harvard University; Massachusets Year 1977 ISBN Description A botanical journal, it contains a revision of the genus Monstera. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. 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.