Dieffenbachia seguine

Dumbcane
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Aroideae
Genus: Dieffenbachia
Species: D. seguine
Binomial name
Dieffenbachia seguine
(Jacq.) Schott
Synonyms

Dieffenbachia maculata
Dieffenbachia picta

Dieffenbachia seguine, also known as dumbcane, is a species of Dieffenbachia native to the tropical Americas —from Southern Mexico, through Central America, to northern South America and Brazil.[1] It is also native to several Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico.[1]

Description

The herbaceous perennial grows 3 to 10 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet in width.[2] The plant's leaves are large and green, and often with variegated white patterns. Like other Dieffenbachias, the sap is toxic. It has showy white flowers.[2]

Cultivation

Dieffenbachia seguine is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate shade gardens and as a potted house plant.[2] Cultivars emphasize different patterns of variegation.

Dieffenbachia seguine grown as a house plant.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 USDA . accessed 10.20.2011
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Missouri Botanic Garden . accessed 10.20.2011

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dieffenbachia seguine.