Syngonium angustatum Schott, Araceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Threat only at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

English: arrowhead vine, goosefoot, syngonium

Habit:  vine

Description:  "Juvenile plants with stems not glaucous, usually sparsely muricate; petioles sheathed usually less than 1/3 their length; blades dark green, marked on the upper surface along the principal veins with gray green, cordate, less than 6 cm long, the anterior lobe ovate, the posterior lobes suborbicular; intermediate leaves sagittate or hastate, acuminate at the apex. Adult stems not glaucous, sparsely muricate; internodes mostly 2-10 cm long on the flowering stems; petioles sometimes pruinose, sheathed 1/2-4/5 their length, 15-40 cm long; blades pedatisect, dark green above, sometimes grayish green on the midrib and rarely on the lateral veins; leaflets 3-11, usually conspicuously free from one another, the lowermost auriculate, the median leaflet elliptic to oblong-elliptic to oblanceolate, acuminate at the apex, attenuate, acute or cuneate at the base, 11-31 cm long, 4-10 cm wide, the rachis gradually curved, the lateral leaflets inequilateral, the inner margin acute to cuneate, the outer margin rounded to auriculate, the auricle rounded to bluntly acute, rarely slightly pinched off; primary lateral veins 3-5 pairs, sunken above, raised beneath; tertiary veins distinct. Inflorescences to ca. 7 per axil; peduncles glaucous, almost 3-sided, 5-10 cm long, and erect at anthesis, to 17 cm long and pendent in fruit; spathe 7 to 14 cm long; spathe tube elliptic, 2-5 cm long, 1.0-2.5 cm diameter, green and usually glaucous outside, green inside; spathe blade cream on both surfaces, 6-9 cm long, 1.5-3.5 cm wide, acuminate at the apex; pistillate portion of the spadix 1.3-2.6 cm long, 5-10 mm diameter, greenish, the flowers irregularly hexagonal, the stigma discoid; staminate portion 2.5-6.5 cm long, 5-15 mm diameter, pale yellow, the flowers completely fused into a synandrium with no sign of fusion, the apex conspicuously refuse. Infructescences usually bright red, sometimes reddish orange, sometimes glaucous; fruiting spadix brown, 2.5-4.5 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm diameter" (Croat, 1981; pp. 605-606).

"At least ten cultivars have been developed by the nursery trade for use as indoor plants and garden ornamentals.  Leaf color varies considerably depending on variety.  In general, leaves are arrowhead-shaped and glossy.  The inflorescence comprises 6-9 green tubular-oblong flowers"  (Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 198).

Similar species: Syngonium podophyllum Schott

S. podophyllum var. podophyllum:  "Stems glaucous (at least in northern Central America), smooth, lacking any emergences; leaf segments usually somewhat unequal, not of relatively uniform size and shape; petioles subterete or with only an obtuse medial rib; staminate flowers truncate at the apex with an indication of the line of fusion; Mexico to Panama" (Croat, 1981).

S. angustatum:  "Stems not glaucous, sometimes with numerous rough emergences; leaf segments usually slender, of nearly equal size and shape; petioles subterete, usually with a sharp medial rib; rachis usually gradually curved, not angular between each segment; staminate flowers deeply retuse at the apex, showing no indication of the line of fusion; Mexico to Costa Rica"  (Croat, 1981).

Habitat/ecology:  Climbing epiphyte. Grows under shady conditions. Prefers moist, fertile soil.

Propagation:  Mostly, if not exclusively, vegetative.

Native range:  Central America from Mexico to Panama. A common household plant.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane (2000) (p. 5)
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Penrhyn (Tongareva) Island		Sykes, Bill (year unknown) S. angustatum cv. 'Albolineatum' per Sykes, pers. com.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12) S. angustatum cv. 'Albolineatum' per Sykes, pers. com. Escapes from cultivation.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 83) S. angustatum cv. 'Albolineatum' per Sykes, pers. com.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12) S. angustatum cv. 'Albolineatum' per Sykes, pers. com. Escapes from cultivation.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12) S. angustatum cv. 'Albolineatum' per Sykes, pers. com. Escapes from cultivation.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 12) S. angustatum cv. 'Albolineatum' per Sykes, pers. com. Escapes from cultivation.
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1991) (voucher ID: BISH 665691) Taxon name on voucher: Syngonium angustatum Schott
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1991) (voucher ID: BISH 666070) Taxon name on voucher: Syngonium angustatum Schott
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Fefan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 94) S. angustatum
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Fefan Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 6) As Syngonium podophyllum but probably this species since it was previously reported by Fosberg et al.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 94) S. angustatum
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Tol Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 6) As Syngonium podophyllum but probably this species since it was previously reported by Fosberg et al.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 94) S. angustatum
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 6) As Syngonium podophyllum but probably this species since it was previously reported by Fosberg et al.
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 94)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 5) As Syngonium podophylum but probably this species as previously identified by Fosberg et al..
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 94) S. angustatum
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (1998) (p. 6) Syngonium cf. podophyllum
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 94) S. angustatum
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 10)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1976) (voucher ID: BISH 417279) Taxon name on voucher: Syngonium angustatum Schott
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 10)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 10)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 10)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 10)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tetiaroa Atoll	introduced invasive	Sachet, M.-H./Fosberg, F. R. (1983) (p. 39) Voucher cited: Fosberg 63777 (US)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 94-95) S. angustatum and S. angustatum cv. 'Albolineatum'
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1978) (voucher ID: BISH 649970) Taxon name on voucher: Syngonium angustatum Schott
Kiribati Phoenix Islands	Kanton Island	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Stoddart, D. R. (1994) (p. 10) Voucher cited: Fosberg & Stoddart 54909 (US)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 94)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 104)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 30)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 94) S. angustatum
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced cultivated	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 43) Voucher cited: Fosberg 58722 (US)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Angaur Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 88)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 86)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 94) S. angustatum
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 15, 82) Escaping from cultivation.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 15, 82) Escaping from cultivation.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 15, 82) Escaping from cultivation.
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 15, 91)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 11)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 11)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 9) As S. podophyllum
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 9) As S. podophyllum
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 9) As S. podophyllum

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Costa Rica Costa Rica	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Guatemala Guatemala	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Honduras Honduras	Honduras (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Nicaragua Nicaragua	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

Comments:  Plants not specifically identified as S. angustatum or S. podophyllum are listed under Syngonium angustatum.

Climber, spreading within the National Park of Samoa (Tutuila Unit) (Space & Flynn, 2000).

Common in Chuuk (Space, Waterhouse, Denslow, Nelson & Mazawa, 2000) and on Rota (Space, Waterhouse, Denslow & Nelson, 2000).

Invasive in Niue (Space & Flynn, 2000).

Mostly cultivated but some naturalization seen in Tonga (Space & Flynn, 2001) and Samoa (Space & Flynn, 2002).

Listed as a weed in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama (Holm et al. cited in Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 198).

Additional information:  Additional online information about Syngonium angustatum is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Syngonium angustatum may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1976. Voucher specimen #BISH 417279 (Baré, D. 73).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1978. Voucher specimen #BISH 649970 (Fosberg, F.R. 58344).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1991. Voucher specimen #BISH 665691 (Sykes, W.R. 474413).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1991. Voucher specimen #BISH 666070 (Sykes, W.R. 474413).

Croat, Thomas B. 1981. A revision of Syngonium (Araceae). Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 68(4):565-651.

Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. 1998. Potential environmental weeds in Australia: Candidate species for preventative control. Canberra, Australia. Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia. 208 pp.

Fosberg, F. R. 1997. Preliminary checklist of the flowering plants and ferns of the Society Islands. Ed. by David R. Stoddart. U. Cal. Berkeley.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce. 1987. A geographical checklist of the Micronesian monocotyledonae. Micronesica 20:1-126.

Fosberg, F. R./Stoddart, D. R. 1994. Flora of the Phoenix Islands, central Pacific. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. Atoll Research Bulletin 393. 60 pp.

Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim. 1998. Checklist of the plants of Pohnpei. Unpublished checklist. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Hawai‘i. 21 pp.

Sachet, M.-H./Fosberg, F. R. 1983. An ecological reconnaissance of Tetiaroa Atoll, Society Islands. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 275. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 67 pp. + photos.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2001. Report to the Kingdom of Tonga on invasive plant species of environmental concern.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 78 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2002. Report to the Government of the Cook Islands on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 146 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2002. Report to the Government of Samoa on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 83 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane. 2000. Invasive plant species on Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 31 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. 2000. Invasive plant species in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 41 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. 2000. Invasive plant species on Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 43 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar. 2003. Report to the Republic of Palau on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 174 pp.

Sykes, Bill. 0. Bill Sykes, pers. com.

Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. 1994. The flora of Nauru. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. Atoll Research Bulletin 392:1-223.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2007. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Vander Velde, Nancy. 2003. The vascular plants of Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Smithsonian Institution, Atoll Research Bulletin No. 503:1-141.

Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. 1999. Botanical survey of the United States of America Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Islands. Prepared for Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education and the U. S. Army Environmental Center. 111 pp.