philodendron

phil·o·den·dron

noun \ˌfi-lə-ˈden-drən\

plural phil·o·den·drons also phil·o·den·dra\-drə\

Definition of PHILODENDRON

: any of various aroid plants (as of the genus Philodendron) that are cultivated for their showy foliage

Illustration of PHILODENDRON

Origin of PHILODENDRON

New Latin, from Greek, neuter of philodendros loving trees, from phil- + dendron tree — more at dendr-

First Known Use: 1877

philodendron

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of about 350 species of climbing herbaceous plants that make up the genus Philodendron in the arum family, native to the New World tropics. Some are popular indoor foliage plants in colder areas and landscape plants in warmer climates. The leaves are often large and smooth-edged to variously lobed and cut. The inflorescence is seldom produced indoors. Many forms are available in cultivation, foremost among them the common heart-leaf (Philodendron scandens oxycardium). Large varieties include the spade-leaf philodendron (P. domesticum or P. hastatum), with triangular leaves up to 2 ft (60 cm) long, and the selloum philodendron (P. selloum), with deeply cut leaves up to 3 ft (1 m) long.