Philodendron is a large genus of flowering
plants in
the Araceae family,
consisting of about 900 species according to TROPICOS (a service of the Missouri Botanical Garden).[citation
needed] Other sources quote different numbers
of species: S.J. Mayo reports about 350-400 formally recognised species,
whereas Thomas Croat lists about 700.[2][3] Regardless of number of species, the
genus is the second-largest member of the arum family. Taxonomically, the genus Philodendron is
still poorly known, with many undescribed species. Many are grown as ornamental and indoor plants.
The name derives from theGreek words philo or
"love" and dendron or "tree". They are
commonly called by their generic name.
