Jättipeikonlehti – Monstera deliciosa

Stem is up to 6 cm thick, with internodes up to 7cm and long areal roots growing at nodes. Leaf arrangement is alternate. Leaves are leathery, dark green above and paler below. Blades of the primary leaves are small, cordate (heart-shaped) and entire. Succeeding leaves are larger (up to about 60 cm wide), oveate-cordate, perforated and/or lobed. Petioles are up to 1 m long. Inflorescence is a spadix, first covered by a white leathery bract (spathe) that falls after anthesis. The spadix consists of minute flowers that together develop into a compound fruit that looks like a green ear of maize covered with hexagonal scales. The scale is formed of the style and stigma of the flower and detaches when the fruit ripens, revealing a pale yellow berry beneath.