Scindapsus is a genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 of flowering plants in the Araceae

Araceae

Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe or leaf-like bract. Also known as the Arum family, members are often colloquially...

 family

Family (biology)

In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...

 consisting of close to 40 species. It is endemic to Asia

Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

, but can also be found in the Pacific islands. Scindapsus isn't easily distinguishable from Epipremnum

Epipremnum

Epipremnum is a genus of sub-tropical plants that is a perennial vine, that is often confused with other Monstereae such as Rhaphidophora aurea Birdsey. All parts of the plants are toxic, mostly due to trichosclereids and raphides. The species may have originated in Southeast Asia...

. The main difference between the two genera is in the number of seeds they produce. Scindapsus species have one ovule

Ovule

Ovule means "small egg". In seed plants, the ovule is the structure that gives rise to and contains the female reproductive cells. It consists of three parts: The integument forming its outer layer, the nucellus , and the megaspore-derived female gametophyte in its center...

 in each ovary whereas Epipremnum species have a few. The seeds of Scindapsus are rounded to slightly kidney-shaped. The plants are primarily root climbing vines.

History of the name

Claudius Aelianus

Claudius Aelianus

Claudius Aelianus , often seen as just Aelian, born at Praeneste, was a Roman author and teacher of rhetoric who flourished under Septimius Severus and probably outlived Elagabalus, who died in 222...

 (Aelian, 2-3 cc., De Natura Animalium XII.44-46, XVII.18), uses the word in relation to an Indian musical instrument used for taming the wild elephants.

Selected species

• Scindapsus aureus
• Scindapsus borneensis
• Scindapsus latifolius
• Scindapsus lucens
• Scindapsus pictus
• Scindapsus pothoides