Monstera is a genus of 59 species of flowering plants in the arum family, Araceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas. Etymology The genus is named from the Latin word for "monstrous" or "abnormal", and refers to the unusual leaves with natural holes that members of the genus have. Description Growth pattern They are herbs or evergreen vines, growing to heights of in trees, climbing by means of aerial roots which act as hooks over branches; these roots will also grow into the soil to help support the plant. Since the plant roots both into the soil and over trees, it is considered a hemiepiphyte. Leaves The leaves are alternate, leathery, dark green, very large, from long (up to long in M. dubia) and broad, often with holes in the leaf blade. The fenestrated leaves allow for the leaves to spread over greater area to increase sunlight exposure, and to allow light to reach other leaves below, by using less energy to produce and maintain the leaves. Inflorescence The flowers are borne on a specialised inflorescence called a spadix, long; the fruit is a cluster of white berries, edible in some species. Uses They are commonly grown indoors as houseplants. The best-known representative of the genus, Monstera deliciosa, is also cultivated for its edible fruit which tastes like a combination of banana and pineapple. Species Plants of the World Online recognises 59 accepted taxa (of 49 species and 6 infraspecific names): Monstera acacoyaguensis Monstera acuminata – Shingle plant Monstera adansonii Monstera adansonii subsp. adansonii Monstera adansonii subsp. blanchetii Monstera adansonii subsp. klotzschiana Monstera adansonii subsp. laniata Monstera alcirana Monstera amargalensis Monstera anomala Monstera aureopinnata Monstera barrieri Monstera boliviana Monstera buseyi Monstera cenepensis Monstera costaricensis Monstera croatii Monstera deliciosa – Ceriman, Swiss-cheese plant Monstera dissecta Monstera dubia Monstera egregia Monstera epipremnoides Monstera filamentosa Monstera florescanoana Monstera gambensis Monstera Gentryi Monstera glaucescens Monstera gracilis Monstera guzmanjacobiae Monstera integrifolia Monstera juliusii Monstera kikiae Monstera kessleri Monstera lechleriana Monstera lentii Monstera limitaris Monstera luteynii Monstera maderaverde Monstera membranacea Monstera minima Monstera mittermeieri Monstera molinae Monstera momoi Monstera monteverdensis Monstera obliqua Monstera oreophila Monstera pinnatipartita Monstera pittieri Monstera planadensis Monstera praetermissa Monstera punctulata Monstera siltepecana Monstera spruceana Monstera standleyana Monstera subpinnata Monstera tacanaensis Monstera tarrazuensis Monstera tenuis Monstera tuberculata Monstera tuberculata var. brevinoda Monstera tuberculata var. tuberculata Monstera vasquezii Monstera wilsoniensis Monstera xanthospatha Previously included: Monstera alticola Monstera bocatorana Monstera coloradensis Monstera fortunense Monstera