Amena Akter, Vashwati Mondol, M. Ashrafuzzaman and A.K.M. Golam Sarwar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55706/jae1712
Abstract
As an indoor plant and air purifier, ornamental Pothos are becoming increasingly popular. This group of evergreen plants is usually grown as a hanging houseplant and has thick, heart-shaped, green, waxy leaves with traces of yellow. There is disagreement on the taxonomic identity of ornamental Pothos varieties. Thus, a study was carried out using 21 ornamental Pothos gathered from various nurseries. One species of the genus Pothos, P. scandens, is used as a check. The ornamental Pothos varieties are classified into 11 species across 5 genera, which include 3 species of Monstera, 3 species of Philodendron, 2 species of Raphidophora, 2 species of Scindapsus, and 1 species of Epipremnum. None of them are members of the genus Pothos, a group of flowering plants in the monocotyledonous family Araceae, despite sharing the common name Pothos. Both true and ornamental Pothos have therapeutic benefits as well, including anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-carcinogenic properties. A brief, in-depth description and colour images are included for simple identification of the species.
Keywords: Epipremnum; Monstera; Philodendron; Raphidophora; Scindapsus; Pothos.
