Syngonium podophyllum ‘Red Heart’
Syngonium podophyllum ‘Red Heart’
Creeping into your heart
Welcome to Syngoniums, water-loving plants native to South and Central America. Specifically, this month’s story features the Syngonium podophyllum. Podophyllum means “with foot-like leaves .” The plant was apparently given this name because its leaves look like goose feet. They don’t. Which is probably a good thing? I don’t know, goose feet have their charms, I guess.
Syngoniums are considered problem plants in some parts of the world. In Florida, for example, they are considered a dangerous invasive.
This Australian website called it a “rampant creeper” which is a description I quite enjoyed.
Syngoniums are also considered strong climbers, using trees to get into the top of the forest canopy. They grow so well in the tops of the trees that they can make them topheavy and more likely to fall over in storms.
They are used in folk medicine to treat toothaches and skin ailments. They are considered toxic, however, as they contain raphides, needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate. These crystals can cause severe pain and even death. Syngoniums are particularly toxic to cats, so watch out for that if you’re a feline friend.
Curiously, studies have shown that decoctions of Syngonium have analgesic properties. Personally, I think some decoctions are better left for the chemists.
One of the coolest things I discovered in my research was this paper about co-planting Syngonium podophyllum and Peperomia tetraphylla to maximize the efficiency of uranium absorption from water.
I have four Syngoniums and have found them quite easy houseplants to care for. They do best in indirect light and like soil on the moist side, but can tolerate a fair amount of neglect. Just be careful not to put them in direct sun, as their leaves can burn.
Some aspect of the research above will factor into this month’s plant-based horror story… so what do you think it’ll be?