Editing Epipremnum aureum

{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum) 4.jpg
| image_caption = Matured ''Epipremnum aureum'' or golden pothos
| genus = Epipremnum
| species = aureum
| authority = ([[Jean Jules Linden|Linden]] & [[Édouard André|André]]) [[George Sydney Bunting|G.S.Bunting]], 1964
| synonyms_ref = {{R|POWO}}
| synonyms = *''Epipremnum mooreense''<br/><small>[[Jean Nadeaud|Nadeaud]], 1899</small>
*''Pothos aureus''<br/><small>Linden & André, 1880</small>
*''Rhaphidophora aurea''<br/><small>(Linden & André) [[Monroe Roberts Birdsey|Birdsey]], 1963</small>
*''Scindapsus aureus''<br/><small>(Linden & André) [[Adolf Engler|Engl.]], 1908</small>
}}

'''''Epipremnum aureum''''' is a species in the arum family [[Araceae]], native to [[Mo'orea]] in the Society Islands of French Polynesia.{{R|POWO}} The species is a popular houseplant in temperate regions but has also become [[Naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] in tropical and sub-tropical forests worldwide, including northern South Africa,<ref name="sciencedirect.com">{{Cite journal|date=2017-03-01|title=Assessing and managing the threat posed by Epipremnum aureum in South Africa|journal=South African Journal of Botany|language=en|volume=109|pages=178–188|doi=10.1016/j.sajb.2016.12.005|issn=0254-6299|doi-access=free|last1=Moodley |first1=D. |last2=Procheş |first2=Ş. |last3=Wilson |first3=J.R.U. }}</ref> Australia, Southeast Asia, Indian subcontinent, the Pacific Islands and the West Indies, where it has caused severe ecological damage in some cases.<ref name="sciencedirect.com"/>

The plant has a number of common names including '''golden pothos''', '''Ceylon creeper''',<ref name = RHSPF/> '''hunter's robe''', '''ivy arum''', '''silver vine''', '''Solomon Islands ivy''', and '''taro vine'''. It is also called '''devil's vine''' or '''devil's ivy''' because it is very hardy and stays green even when kept in the dark.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Meshram, Srivastava|first=Anju, Nidhi|date=Apr–Jun 2014|title=Molecular and physiological role of Epipermnum aureum|journal=[[International Journal of Green Pharmacy]]|volume=8|issue=2|pages=73–76|doi=10.4103/0973-8258.129566 |doi-access=free }}</ref> It is sometimes simply labelled ''[[Pothos (plant)|Pothos]],'' or mistakenly labelled as a ''[[Philodendron]]'' or ''[[Scindapsus]]'' in plant stores. It is commonly known as a '''money plant''' in many parts of Indian subcontinent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livehindustan.com/news/astrology/article1-vastu-tips-for-money-plant--682300.html|title=बरकत के साथ नुकसान भी कर सकता है मनी प्लांट, जानिए कैसे - Hindustan|website=Live Hindustan|access-date=2017-02-10|archive-date=2017-02-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080448/http://www.livehindustan.com/news/astrology/article1-vastu-tips-for-money-plant--682300.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/a2z/2015/05/04/217633|title=বারান্দায় সবুজের মেলা {{!}} কালের কণ্ঠ|last=Kantho|first=Kaler|newspaper=Kalerkantho|access-date=2017-02-10|language=bn}}</ref> It rarely flowers without artificial hormone supplements; one of the last known spontaneous flowerings in cultivation was reported in 1964.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boyce |first1=Peter |title=A Review of Epipremnum (Araceae) in Cultivation |url=https://www.aroid.org/gallery/boyce/A%20Review%20of%20Epipremnum%20%28Araceae%29%20in%20cultivation%20-%20%5BAroideana%2027%2C%20199_205%5D%20-%20Boyce%202004.pdf |website=aroid.org |access-date=12 January 2019}}</ref> An amateur grower discovered a flowering Epipremnum aureum in 2023. <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/plantclinic/comments/11s6u1x/anyone_know_whats_up_with_this_golden_pothos_just/</ref>

The plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's [[Award of Garden Merit]].<ref name = RHSPF>{{cite web|title=''Epipremnum aureum''|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/91403/Epipremnum-aureum/Details|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|access-date=7 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web  | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 35 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date = 6 February 2018}}</ref>

==History and etymology==
[[File:Epipremnum aureum as Pothos aureus.jpg|thumb|An illustration from 1871 described by Linden & André as ''Pothos aureus.'' Note that it is misspelled as “''Pothos aurea''”.]]
This species has been assigned to a number of genera; in 1880 when it was first described, it was named ''Pothos aureus'', which is why it is often commonly referred to as a "pothos". After an [[inflorescence]] was observed in 1962, it was given the new name of ''Rhaphidophora aurea''. However, after closer examination of the flower, researchers noticed its heightened similarity to ''[[Epipremnum pinnatum]]'' and synonymised it with that species. Only after closer observation of the entirety of the plant, including the leaves and growth patterns, did researchers again separate it from ''E. pinnatum'', and classify it as ''E. aureum''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Hung, Qiu, Sun, Chen, Kittur, Henny, Jin, Fan & Xie|first=Chiu-Yueh, Jie, Ying-Hsuan, Jianjun, Farooqahmed S., Richard J., Gule, Longjiang & Jiahua|date=27 June 2016|title=Gibberellin deficiency is responsible for shy-flowering nature of ''Epipremnum aureum''|url= |journal=Scientific Reports|volume=6|pages=28598|doi=10.1038/srep28598|pmid=27345283|pmc=4921968|bibcode=2016NatSR...628598H}}</ref>

==Description==
[[File:Induced flowering of Epipremnum aureum.tif|left|thumb|Induced flowering]]
''Epipremnum aureum'' is an evergreen [[vine]] growing to {{convert|20|m|0|abbr=on}} tall, with stems up to {{convert|4|cm|0|abbr=on}} in diameter, [[climbing plant|climbing]] using aerial roots which adhere to surfaces. The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, heart-shaped, entire on juvenile plants, but irregularly [[pinnatifid]] on mature plants, up to {{convert|100|cm|0|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|45|cm|0|abbr=on}} broad; juvenile leaves are much smaller, typically under {{convert|20|cm|0|abbr=on}} long.

The flowers are produced in a [[spathe]] up to {{convert|23|cm|0|abbr=on}} long. This plant produces trailing stems when it climbs up trees and these take root when they reach the ground and grow along with it.  The leaves on these trailing stems grow up to {{convert|10|cm|0|abbr=on}} long and are the ones normally seen on this plant when it is cultivated as a potted plant.

===Shy-flowering nature===
While ''E. aureum'' is classified as an [[Flowering plant|angiosperm]], which typically produce flowers at some point in their life cycle, it is the only reported species in its family ([[Araceae]]) that does not readily bloom, if at all. Regardless of where this “shy-flowering” plant is grown, or what the conditions are like, it will apparently not flower due to a genetic impairment of the [[Gibberellin|gibberellin (GA) biosynthetic gene]], ''EaGA3ox1''. This impairment causes the plant to be unable to develop bioactive GAs, which are responsible for the flowering of plants, via the floral [[meristem]] identity gene ''EaLFY''. In ''E. aureum'', the floral meristem identity gene expression is absent due to the lack of GAs from ''EaGA3ox1''. It was found that when GAs were experimentally sprayed onto the plant, flowering was induced.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, it is likely safe to assume that none of the plants seen in modern cultivation have truly been grown from seed. However, it is far more efficient to simply multiply an existing plant by dividing it; the species is well-known for its ease of propagation via vegetative growth, developing roots rapidly through cuttings, either rooted in water or grown directly in a well-aerated substrate, such as [[perlite]] mixed with [[vermiculite]], or even [[sphagnum moss]]. Additional methods of propagation include whole-plant divisions or root divisions, as well as [[Plant tissue culture|tissue culture]] propagation.

==Distribution==
Originally, it was endemic to the island of [[Mo'orea]] from the Society Islands.{{R|POWO}} However, it is now wild in many tropical countries. The following ranges are indicated: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, Java, Maluku Islands, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Queensland, Marshall Islands, Hawaii, Palau, Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, and Western Samoa.<ref>Wolverton, BC (1996) How to Grow Fresh Air . New York: Penguin Books.</ref>

== Cultivation and uses ==
[[File:Epipremnum aureum Neon 1zz.jpg|thumb|'Neon' Cultivar |left]][[File:Devil's ivy - Cane Box.jpg|thumb|''E. aureum'' in a small glass vase]]In temperate regions, it is a popular houseplant with numerous cultivars selected for leaves with white, yellow, or light green variegation. It is often used in decorative displays in shopping centers, offices, and other public locations largely because it requires little care and is also attractively leafy. In tropical countries, it is found in many parks and gardens, and tends to grow naturally.

As an indoor plant it can reach more than {{convert|2|m|yd|0}} in height if given the adequate support (a trellis or moss pole to climb), but hardly develops adult-sized leaves. The best results are achieved by providing indirect light; it tolerates an intense luminosity, but long periods of direct sunlight burn the leaves. It lives well with a temperature between {{convert|17|and|30|C|F}}. Generally, the plant will only need watering when the soil feels dry to the touch (typically once every one to two weeks). The plant should be fertilized every 2-3 months during its growing season, and at a reduced rate the rest of the year. It should be replanted at least every 1-2 years, or sooner if it becomes too root-bound.{{R|gardenia}} However, it is a very robust plant, and will survive bad growing conditions. The plant grows rapidly in [[Hydroponics#Static solution culture|hydroponic culture]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gardeningtips.in/growing-hydroponic-money-plant-devils-ivy-pothos |title=Growing Hydroponic Money Plant (Devil's Ivy/Pothos) |publisher=Gardening Tips |access-date=28 June 2023}}</ref>

It can be cultivated from a cutting, however, this can carry various diseases such as [[Erwinia leaf spot]], [[Pythium root rot]], [[Rhizoctonia root rot]] (Rhizoctonia foot rot), [[Pseudomonas leaf spot]], [[Southern blight]], and [[Xanthomonas blight]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Qu |first1=Luping |last2=Chen |first2=Jianjn |last3=Henny |first3=Richard J. |last4=Huang |first4=Yingfeng |last5=Caldwell |first5=Russell D. |last6=Robinson |first6=Cynthia A. |title=Thidiazuron promotes adventitious shoot regeneration from pothos (Epipremnum aureum) leaf and petiole explants |journal=In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant |date=May 2002 |volume=38 |issue=3 |pages=268–271 |doi=10.1079/IVP2001270 |s2cid=23347421 }}</ref>

The plant can remove indoor pollutants such as [[formaldehyde]], [[trichloroethene]], [[toluene]], [[xylene]], and [[benzene]] in controlled circumstances (e.g. a sealed room).<ref>Wolverton, B. C. ''How To Grow Fresh Air'', Penguin Books, New York, 1997.</ref> A study found that this effect declined as the molecular weight of the polluting substance increased.<ref>{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.10.028|title = Purification characteristics of pothos for airborne chemicals in growing conditions and its evaluation|journal = Atmospheric Environment|volume = 42|issue = 3|pages = 594–602|year = 2008|last1 = Sawada|first1 = Ayako|last2 = Oyabu|first2 = Takashi|bibcode = 2008AtmEn..42..594S}}</ref>

The plant is sometimes used in aquariums, placed on top of the aquarium, and allowed to grow roots in the water. This is beneficial to the plant and the aquarium as it absorbs nitrates, using them for growth.

== Propagation ==
The plant can be propagated in soil or in water.{{R|gardenia}}

== Cultivars ==
[[File:Epipremnum aureum (Marble Queen) houseplant.png|thumb|'Marble Queen' Cultivar ]]There are several cultivars known in the houseplant community. Common varieties include 'Golden', 'Neon', 'Njoy', 'Pearls & Jade', 'Marble Queen', 'Jade', 'Manjula', 'Global Green', and 'Jessenia'.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} 

== Toxicity ==
The plant is listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the [[ASPCA]], because of the presence of insoluble [[raphide]]s. Care should be taken to ensure the plant is not consumed by pets.  Symptoms may include oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty in swallowing.<ref name="aspca_site">{{cite web|url=http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/devils_ivy.html |title=Devils Ivy |access-date=2009-03-11 |work=ASPCA.org }}</ref>

Due to the [[calcium oxalate]] within the plant, it can be mildly toxic to humans as well. Possible side effects from the consumption of ''E. aureum'' are [[atopic dermatitis]] (eczema) as well as burning and/or swelling of the region inside of and surrounding the mouth. Excessive contact with the plant can also lead to general skin irritation or [[contact dermatitis]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Meshram, Srivastava|first=Anju, Nidhi|date=Apr–Jun 2014|title=Molecular and physiological role of Epipremnum aureum|url=https://greenpharmacy.info/index.php/ijgp/article/view/365|journal=International Journal of Green Pharmacy|volume=8|issue=2|pages=73–76|doi=10.4103/0973-8258.129566 |doi-access=free |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

== Invasive species ==
[[File:Epipremnum aureum in Udawattakele.jpg|thumb|Overgrowing [[Udawattakele Forest]] in Sri Lanka]]
''Epipremnum aureum'' can become a highly invasive species when introduced into tropical countries where it is not native. In Sri Lanka, it overgrows several hectares of the [[Udawatta Kele Sanctuary]] in [[Kandy]].<ref name="article">{{cite web |url=http://thakshana.nsf.ac.lk/pdf/JNSF26-34/JNSF29_1&2/JNSF29_1&2_35.pdf |title='W. De Costa, H. Hitanayake and I. Dharmawardena, "A Physiological Investigation into the Invasive Behaviour of Some Plant Species in a Mid-Country Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka" |access-date=2009-03-11 |work=JNSFSL, 2001, 29 (1 & 2):35–50 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722145720/http://thakshana.nsf.ac.lk/pdf/JNSF26-34/JNSF29_1%262/JNSF29_1%262_35.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> Having no natural enemies, it completely overgrows the forest floor as well as the trunks of trees, causing severe ecological disruption. It has also invaded the Kurulukele Forest Reserve in [[Kegalla]], Sri Lanka, and other places where it has been planted as a decorative plant, or to hold steep banks along roads. It was included in the Florida Exotic Pest Control Council's 1999 list of invasive species.<ref name=USDA>{{PLANTS|id=EPPI|taxon=Epipremnum pinnatum|access-date=December 6, 2015}}</ref>

A study published in the [[South African Journal of Botany]] found the species to be a potential risk of becoming an invasive species along the coasts of South Africa. It suggested a number of different ways to prevent the spreading of the species in the wild, one of which included barring the cultivation of the species outside of a supervised area. Additionally, however, the study pointed out that ''E. aureum'' cannot propagate on a large scale due to its lack of seed banks as well as its minimal immunity to herbicides. If the plant is maintained in a controlled area, it is not as significant a threat as when it grows freely in the wild.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=D. Moodley, Ş. Procheş, J.R.U. Wilson|date=January 2017|title=Assessing and managing the threat posed by Epipremnum aureum in South Africa|journal=South African Journal of Botany|volume=109|pages=178–188|doi=10.1016/j.sajb.2016.12.005|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Starr 070321-6009 Epipremnum pinnatum.jpg|Foliage and stems adults
File:Pothos in rio.jpg|Climbing a [[Roystonea oleracea]]
File:Pothos jeune feuille.jpg|Young leaf growth
File:Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum 'N' Joy').jpg|Pearls & Jade variegated cultivar
File:Epipremum aureaum a1.JPG|Trailing on a wall
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|27em|refs=
<ref name="POWO">{{cite web |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:87014-1 |title=''Epipremnum aureum'' (Linden & André) G.S.Bunting |website=[[Plants of the World Online]] |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] |year=2023 |access-date=15 December 2023}}</ref>
<ref name="gardenia">{{Cite web |access-date=February 2, 2025 |title=Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos) - Plant Care 101 |url=https://www.gardenia.net/plant/epipremnum-aureum-golden-pothos}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikispecies}}
* [http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/pothos.htm Pothos Production Guide] - discusses care of this plant
* {{cite journal |last1=Xu |first1=Zhongjun |last2=Wang |first2=Li |last3=Hou |first3=Haiping |title=Formaldehyde removal by potted plant–soil systems |journal=Journal of Hazardous Materials |date=May 2011 |volume=192 |issue=1 |pages=314–8 |doi=10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.05.020 |pmid=21641719 }}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q161809}}

[[Category:Epipremnum|aureum]]
[[Category:Endemic flora of the Society Islands]]
[[Category:House plants]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Low light plants]]
[[Category:Mo'orea]]