''Nephthytis'' is a genus of eight species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

s in the family

Araceae The Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe (or leaf-like bract). Also ...

, native to tropical western

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

, with one species in

Borneo Borneo (; id, Kalimantan) is the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia. At the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia, in relation to major Indonesian islands, it is located north of Java, west of Sulawesi, and eas ...

.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
/ref>Hay, Alistair, Bogner, Josef, & Boyce, Peter Charles. 1994. ''Nephthytis'' Schott (Araceae) in Borneo: a new species and a new generic record for Malesia. Novon 4:365-368.
/ref> They are

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of t ...

plants growing from a

rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...

. The

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

are

evergreen In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has foliage that remains green and functional through more than one growing season. This also pertains to plants that retain their foliage only in warm climates, and contrasts with deciduous plants, which ...

, light and dark green, 15–35 cm long, and are usually arrowhead-shaped, with three lobes. The leaf shape can vary depending on the age of the plant.

Cultivation

Some species are popular

houseplant A houseplant, sometimes known as a pot plant, potted plant, or an indoor plant, is an ornamental plant that is grown indoors. As such, they are found in places like residences and offices, mainly for decorative purposes. Common houseplants are us ...

s. If so, they must be kept away from any pets, as they are poisonous. When grown indoors as a decorative houseplant, it needs frequent watering to keep the soil moist. It prefers temperatures that are comfortable to humans, as with most plants. It functions well as a hanging or

terrarium A terrarium (plural: terraria or terrariums) is usually a sealable glass container containing soil and plants that can be opened for maintenance to access the plants inside; however, terraria can also be open to the atmosphere. Terraria are ofte ...

plant. The most common of its problems is

root rot Root rot is a condition in which anoxic conditions in the soil or potting media around the roots of a plant cause them to rot. This occurs due to excessive standing water around the roots. It is found in both indoor and outdoor plants, although ...

and can be avoided by providing adequate drainage. This can also be caused by allowing the plant to sit in water. As for other problems, scale insects can also affect it. If this happens, scrape them off and isolate the plant. For this kind of problem, pesticides and sprays do not always work as the shell of the insect protects it. If this becomes a severe problem, you will have to get rid of the plant. Also if this happens, make sure it is moved away from any other surrounding plants because the bugs could infect them as well. Other than that, this plant is very easy to take care of and thus, it is good for beginners.

Propagation Propagation can refer to: *Chain propagation in a chemical reaction mechanism *Crack propagation, the growth of a crack during the fracture of materials *Propaganda, non-objective information used to further an agenda *Reproduction, and other forms ...

of ''Nephthytis'' is fairly easy as well. It can be propagated by

layering Layering has evolved as a common means of vegetative propagation of numerous species in natural environments. Layering is also utilized by horticulturists to propagate desirable plants. Natural layering typically occurs when a branch touches ...

and from cuttings. Certain ''Nephthytis'' species are poisonous to cats and dogs. Symptoms are oral irritation and vomiting.

''Syngonium podophyllum''

An unrelated American species, ''

Syngonium podophyllum ''Syngonium podophyllum'' is a species of aroid that is a popular houseplant. Common names include: arrowhead plant, arrowhead vine, arrowhead philodendron, goosefoot,nephthytis, African evergreen, and American evergreen. The species is native to ...

'', commonly grown as a houseplant, was originally confused with the similar-looking ''Nephthytis.'' It still retains ''Nephthytis'' as a common name, though it was given its own genus in 1879.

Species

Species recognized by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: # '' Nephthytis afzelii'' Schott - West Africa from Congo-Brazzaville to Sierra Leone # ''

Nephthytis bintuluensis ''Nephthytis'' is a genus of eight species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical western Africa, with one species in Borneo. They are herbaceous plants growing from a rhizome. The leaves are evergreen, light and dark gre ...

'' A.Hay, Bogner & P.C.Boyce - Sarawak # ''

Nephthytis hallaei ''Nephthytis'' is a genus of eight species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical western Africa, with one species in Borneo. They are herbaceous plants growing from a rhizome. The leaves are evergreen, light and dark gre ...

'' Bogner - Gabon # ''

Nephthytis mayombensis ''Nephthytis'' is a genus of eight species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical western Africa, with one species in Borneo. They are herbaceous plants growing from a rhizome. The leaf, leaves are evergreen, light and da ...

'' de Namur & Bogner - Congo-Brazzaville # ''

Nephthytis poissonii ''Nephthytis'' is a genus of eight species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical western Africa, with one species in Borneo. They are herbaceous plants growing from a rhizome. The leaves are evergreen, light and dark gre ...

'' (Engl.) N.E.Br. - Congo-Brazzaville, Gulf of Guinea Islands, Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria # '' Nephthytis swainei'' Bogner - Ivory Coast, Ghana, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Cameroon

References

External links

International Aroid Society search
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5223526 Aroideae Araceae genera House plants