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Centipede tongavine
Wild Epipremnum pinnatum in the Philippines showing both pinnately-divided mature leaves and entire young leaves
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Alismatales
Family:	Araceae
Genus:	Epipremnum
Species:	E. pinnatum
Binomial name
Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl., 1908
Synonyms
Numerous Epipremnum angustilobum K.Krause, 1911 Epipremnum elegans Engl., 1879 Epipremnum elegans f. ternatensis Alderw., 1922 Epipremnum formosanum Hayata, 1915 Epipremnum glaucicephalum Elmer, 1938 Epipremnum merrillii Engl. & K.Krause, 1908 Epipremnum mirabile Schott, 1858 Epipremnum mirabile f. eperforatum Engl., 1898 Epipremnum mirabile f. multisectum Engl., 1898 Epipremnum pinnatum f. multisectum (Engl.) Engl., 1908 Epipremnum robinsonii K.Krause, 1912 Monstera caudata (Roxb.) Schott, 1830 Monstera dilacerata (K.Koch & Sello) K.Koch, 1855 Monstera pinnata (L.) Schott, 1830 Philodendron dilaceratum Engl., 1879 Philodendron nechodomae Britton, 1926 Polypodium laciniatum Burm.f., 1768 Pothos caudatus Roxb., 1820 Pothos decursivus Wall., 1831 Pothos pinnatifidus Roxb., 1820 Pothos pinnatus L., 1763 Rhaphidophora caudata (Roxb.) Schott, 1860 Rhaphidophora cunninghamii Schott, 1861 Rhaphidophora dilacerata (K.Koch & Sello) K.Koch, 1864 Rhaphidophora formosana (Hayata) M.Hotta, 1970 Rhaphidophora laciniata (Burm.f.) Merr., 1921 Rhaphidophora lovellae F.M.Bailey, 1897 Rhaphidophora merrillii Engl., 1905 Rhaphidophora neocaledonica Guillaumin, 1937 Rhaphidophora pertusa var. vitiensis (Schott) Engl. Rhaphidophora pinnata (L.) Schott, 1857 Rhaphidophora pinnatifida (Roxb.) Schott, 1857 Rhaphidophora vitiensis Schott, 1861 Rhaphidophora wallichii Schott, 1860 Scindapsus bipinnatifidus Teijsm. & Binn., 1866 Scindapsus caudatus (Roxb.) Schott, 1832 Scindapsus decursivus Moritzi, 1854 Scindapsus dilaceratus K.Koch & Sello, 1853 Scindapsus forsteri Endl., 1836 Scindapsus pinnatifidus (Roxb.) Schott, 1832 Scindapsus pinnatus (L.) Schott, 1832 Tornelia dilacerata (K.Koch & Sello) Schott, 1860

Epipremnum pinnatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae. It has many common names, including centipede tongavine, taro vine, silver vine and dragon-tail plant. In the Philippines, it is known in Tagalog as tibatib.

Epipremnum pinnatum starts life on the ground and climbs up trees in its natural forest environment, transitioning to an epiphytic lifestyle over time. It exhibits foliage dimorphism, where juvenile leaves look different from mature leaves of the same plant.

Distribution

The plant has a broad native Old World distribution. Native range extends from Northern Australia through Malaysia and Indochina into southern China, Taiwan, Japan, and as far as Melanesia. The species has also become naturalised in the West Indies.

Cultivation

The plant has been kept as a houseplant or garden plant for ornamental purposes. Its leaves possess an aesthetic value, and the plant can be hardy in most indoor conditions. In a flower pot, or at a smaller size, its growth is similar to many vining plants, following a drooping, creeping pattern. Aerial roots will dot the stem. Instead of letting the plant hang, some gardeners prefer to add a small lattice or climbing pole for the plant, which would allow it to climb into a more visually interesting shape.

In a pot, the plant needs water retaining, porous soil. Many commercially available houseplant or tropical garden soil mixes will suffice. The plant is not entirely drought resistant, and needs the soil it's rooted in to be watered weekly, or more frequently in a bigger pot. So long as the soil is allowed to partially or fully dry a couple inches down between waterings. It helps to provide good drainage to the pot, as standing water can damage the plant's roots.

Gallery

• Illustration, Plantae Asiaticae Rariores, vol. 2: t. 192 (1831)
• Spadix
• Wild Epipremnum pinnatum in the Philippines showing its liana habit
• various forms of leaves in different sizes
• Aerial roots

References

1. Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl.. In: The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Published on the Internet; http://www.theplantlist.org/ .
2. "NParks | Epipremnum pinnatum". www.nparks.gov.sg. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
3. Epipremnum pinnatum. In: Govaerts, R. (2015). World Checklist of Araceae. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/ Retrieved 2015-2-28.
4. ^ "Epipremnum pinnatum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 28 February 2015.

External links

• Data related to Epipremnum pinnatum at Wikispecies
• Media related to Epipremnum pinnatum at Wikimedia Commons

• Epipremnum
• Flora of Asia