Scientific name
Spathiphyllum Schott
Common names
peace lily, snow flower, white sails, spathe flower, spath
Family
Araceae
Similar genera
Native distribution
tropical Mexico through Central and South America, less frequently in Southeast Asia
Species cultivated
Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel
The following may also be offered; they are typically used to produce hybrids and varieties
Spathiphyllum cannifolium (Dryand. ex Sims) Schott
S. floribundum (Linden & André) N.E.Br.
S. friedrichsthalii Schott
S. grandifolium Engl.
S. patini (R.Hogg) N.E.Br.
Adventive distribution
Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel is introduced into Puerto Rico.
Weed status
not weedy
Habit
terrestrial, amphibious to rarely seasonally submerged herb; may be hemiepiphytic or epilithic
Brief description
Small to medium aroid. Rhizomes short, erect to creeping; stems compact, glabrous. Leaves in a loose basal rosette; petioles erect, subequal or longer than blade, sheathing, commonly winged below; leaf blade oblong to elliptic, or lanceolate; apex cuspidate to long-acuminate; margin entire to ± undulate; venation pinnate, curving toward apex. Inflorescence a solitary, axillary spathe and spadix, ascending or erect; peduncle subequal or longer than petiole; spathe cucullate, ovate to elliptic or oblong, apex cuspidate to long-acuminate, ± decurrent on peduncle, white, turning green in fruit; spadix sessile or usually stipitate, erect, cylilndrical, shorter than spathe, cream color, usually fragrant. Berry conical to ovoid, apex rounded or conically attenuate, green, 1-8-seeds per locule; seeds oblong, ellipsoid to ovoid, slightly curved and ± reniform.
Natural habitat
lowland primary forests, along streams, in open swampy areas, partially or periodically flooded forests
Additional comments
Spathiphyllum species are not true aquatics. S. wallisii is often used in aquaria and is often called S. tasson.
