Monstera adansonii

Monstera adansonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Monstera
Species:
M. adansonii
Binomial name
Monstera adansonii
Synonyms
  • Monstera pertusa (L.) de Vriese
  • Dracontium pertusum L.
  • Calla dracontium G.Mey.
  • Calla pertusa (L.) Kunth
  • Philodendron pertusum (L.) K.Koch & C.D.Bouché

Monstera adansonii, the Adanson's monstera, Swiss cheese plant, or five holes plant, is a species of flowering plant from family Araceae, which is widespread across much of South America and Central America. Monstera adansonii is classified as a hemiepiphyte vine and can be found in tropical forests with hot and high humidity conditions. Other regions this plant may be found in are the West Indies, Antigua, Grenada, Saba, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, Marie Galante, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tobago, and Trinidad. Currently, there are four recognized subspecies of Monstera adansonii subsp. adansonii, M. adansonii subsp. blanchetii, M. adansonii subsp. klotzschiana and Monstera adansonii subsp. laniata The species are quite common near river valleys at lower elevations.

The common name "Swiss cheese plant" is also used for the also very often cultivated species Monstera deliciosa.