Spathiphyllum

Taxobox
name = "Spathiphyllum"

---

image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Spathiphyllum floribundum"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Alismatales
familia = Araceae
genus = "Spathiphyllum"
genus_authority = Schott
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text

"Spathiphyllum" is a genus of about 40 species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas and southeastern Asia. Certain species of "Spathiphyllum" are commonly known as spath or peace lilies.

They are evergreen herbaceous perennial plants with large leaves 12-65 cm long and 3-25 cm broad. The flowers are produced in a spadix, surrounded by a 10-30 cm long, white, yellowish, or greenish spathe. The plant does not need excessive light or water to survive.

;Selected species

Cultivation and uses

Several species are popular indoor houseplants. "Spathiphyllum" cleans indoor air of many environmental contaminants, including benzene, formaldehyde, and other pollutants. It cleans best at one plant per 10 m². It lives best in shade and needs little sunlight to thrive. Often it is placed in an angled window where sun will slightly be guided towards it and at night it will live off the daily intake. It is watered around every week and a half. (the waters take around a week to fully absorb into the soil and you can still feel the moisture long after.)

Spathiphyllum is mildly toxic to humans and animals when ingested. [http://www.calpoison.org/public/plants-toxic.html California Poison Control System: list of toxic plants] [http://www.entirelypets.com/toxicplants.html EntirelyPets.com article]

External links

* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?11344 Germplasm Resources Information Network: "Spathiphyllum" species list]

References