Spathiphyllum sp.

Araceae Edible: Leaves Potential hazards — see below 26,721 iNaturalist observations

wikimedia· cc-by-sa

Wikimedia Commons - Mokkie

wikimedia· cc-by

Wikimedia Commons - Forest & Kim Starr

Contribute a photo Sign in required

Description

A tropical herb of the taro family (Araceae).

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten.

Known Hazards

Although it is called a "lily", the peace lily is not a true lily from the family Liliaceae. True lilies are highly toxic (poisonous) to cats and dogs, but the peace lily, Spathiphyllum is only mildly toxic to humans and other animals when ingested. Like many Araceae, it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause skin irritation, a burning sensation in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and nausea, but it does not contain the toxins found in true lilies, which can cause acute kidney failure in cats and some other animals.

Distribution

A tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Central America, El Salvador,

Notes

There are 41 Spathiphyllum species.

References (2)

Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 109
Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 176