Origin
South America
Ecological Impact
Listed as a Category I invasive species for all regions of Florida by the Florida Invasive Species Council. Can establish dense populations that displace surrounding vegetation. It has the ability to spread in the deep shade of intact forests, forming a dense mat on the forest floor as well as climbing trees. The stems by which it climbs are thick and fleshy giving them a weight much heavier than most native vines, thus potentially making trees top heavy and more susceptible to falling in a strong wind.
Description
High climbing, epiphytic vine, stems 1-1.5 cm (0.5 in) thick. Creates a milky sap. Leaves alternate, heart-shaped, to oblong, to ovate, to triangular. Mature leaves very deeply lobed. Flowers in a fleshy spathe, often several spathes clustered together. Flowers on a found column containing in the spathe and green in color. Fruits a red berry.
Identification Tips
Unlike Syngonium podophyllum, the stems of S. angustatum are not glaucous and sometimes with numerous rough emergences. It is also native to Central America but from Mexico to Panama and invasive in Pacific Islands.
History
Introduced to Florida for ornamental purposes.
Florida Range
Statewide
Prevention/Management Strategies
Do not plant, remove seedlings and root systems.