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Aglaonema costatum N.E.Br.

Family Name:	Araceae
Synonyms:	Aglaonema costatum f. foxii, Aglaonema costatum var. maculatum, Aglaonema costatum var. foxii, Aglaonema costatum f. costatum
Common Name:	Spotted Evergreen, Chinese Evergreen, Malaysian Evergreen, Fox's Aglaonema, 心叶粗肋草

Full Shade

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Occasional Misting

Indoor Plant

Ornamental Leaves

Herbaceous Plant

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
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Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	0.3 m to 0.4 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Malaysia, Southeast Asia, India
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Growth Form: Short, evergreen perennial herb or herbaceous shrub that forms spreading clumps. Habitat: Occurs in the understorey of tropical rain forests in Southeast Asia. Foliage: Leaves large and ovate with entire leaf margin (20 cm long). They are green with a white stripe along the midvein and many white, irregularly-shaped spots. Petioles form a whitish sheath around the stem. Flowers: Small inflorescences are thin, unisexual with a white or greenish spathe (hood-like structure that surrounds the rod-like inflorescence). In cultivation, plants rarely produce inflorescences. Fruits: Fruits are small berries. Landscaping: In warm, humid climates, this species may be grown in north-facing slopes or shady areas, such as under trees. They are often displayed in containers, both indoors and outdoors. Cultivation: This species is easy-to-grow. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil, such as sandy soil enriched with humus. Heavily mulch plants to keep the soil moist. Leaves may turn brown when plants are watered with hard or cold water. Indoor plants may be potted in a mixture of potting soil and styrofoam. Feed weekly with a half-strength fertilizer solution. Allow potted plants to become slightly rootbound for best growth. It grows best in humid air. To increase humidity, spray leaves regularly with warm, soft water free of lime and / or place the pot on a bed of wet pebbles. Plants grown in dry air will become susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites. Propagation: Propagate by tip cuttings or dividing the clumps. Etymology: The genus "Aglaonema" is derived from the Greek words "aglos" meaning bright and "nema" meaning thread. The specific epithet "costatum" comes from the Latin word "costatus" meaning ribbed. The reference is to the white stripe that occurs along the leaf midrib.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Others: Some Asians believe that Aglaonema spp. bring good fortune.

Others - Plant Morphology

Growth Form: Short, evergreen perennial herb or herbaceous shrub that forms spreading clumps. Habitat: Occurs in the understorey of tropical rain forests in Southeast Asia. Foliage: Leaves large and ovate with entire leaf margin (20 cm long). They are green with a white stripe along the midvein and many white, irregularly-shaped spots. Petioles form a whitish sheath around the stem. Flowers: Small inflorescences are thin, unisexual with a white or greenish spathe (hood-like structure that surrounds the rod-like inflorescence). In cultivation, plants rarely produce inflorescences. Fruits: Fruits are small berries. Landscaping: In warm, humid climates, this species may be grown in north-facing slopes or shady areas, such as under trees. They are often displayed in containers, both indoors and outdoors. Cultivation: This species is easy-to-grow. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil, such as sandy soil enriched with humus. Heavily mulch plants to keep the soil moist. Leaves may turn brown when plants are watered with hard or cold water. Indoor plants may be potted in a mixture of potting soil and styrofoam. Feed weekly with a half-strength fertilizer solution. Allow potted plants to become slightly rootbound for best growth. It grows best in humid air. To increase humidity, spray leaves regularly with warm, soft water free of lime and / or place the pot on a bed of wet pebbles. Plants grown in dry air will become susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites. Propagation: Propagate by tip cuttings or dividing the clumps. Etymology: The genus "Aglaonema" is derived from the Greek words "aglos" meaning bright and "nema" meaning thread. The specific epithet "costatum" comes from the Latin word "costatus" meaning ribbed. The reference is to the white stripe that occurs along the leaf midrib.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Others: Some Asians believe that Aglaonema spp. bring good fortune.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade, Full Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water, Occasional Misting
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Maintenance Requirements	Low
Diseases	In dry air, aphids, mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites may be a problem.
Pest(s)	Associated with, Sucking Insects
Propagation Method	Stem Cutting, Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green, White
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area	Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio	3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Herbaceous

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	Green, White
Flower Symmetry	Bilateral
Flowering Period	Free-Flowering

Flowering Habit

Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Red, Yellow / Golden
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit , Berry

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	318
Species ID	1614
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.