• Earthrestoration PVT LTD

MONSTERA deliciosa : A useful plant

Monstera deliciosa, also known as ceriman, is a species of flowering plant belonging to Monstera Adans. (monster) & Araceae (Arum family). The plant is native to southern Mexico, south to Panama.

The specific epithet deliciosa means delicious, referring to the edible fruit, while monstera means monstrous, in reference to the size that this plant can grow to over 9 m (30 ft.) in many cases.

Plant Description

Ceriman is a robust, fast growing, stout, herbaceous or woody, epiphytic, scrambling or climbing vine that grows about 20 m (66 ft.) tall. Indoor plants more typically are grown in the 6-8 feet range. The plant is found growing in the branches of trees in moist or wet, mountain forests. The plant grows vigorously in almost any soil, including calcareous but flourishes best in well-drained, loamy soils rich in organic matter. It is intolerant of saline conditions. Stem is cylindrical, heavy, 6.0–7.5 cm diameter, thick rough with leaf scars, and producing numerous, long, tough, fibrous aerial roots.

Is an extremely valuable indoor plant for its ability to grow indoors in shade and with least care while purifying your breathing space.

The Fruit

The fruit of Monstera deliciosa is up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long and 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) diameter, looking like a green ear of maize covered with hexagonal scales. As the fruit ripens, these scales or platelets fall off the fruit, releasing a strong and sweet scent. The smell has been compared to a combination of pineapples and bananas. The fruit is edible and safe for humans.

It takes longer than a year for fruits to reach maturity. The fruit first shows signs of ripening by its bottommost scales becoming yellowed. As it ripens, the starch that was stored in the green fruit is converted to sugar, giving it its sweet flavor. This mechanism is similar to how banana fruits ripen. The strong odor the fruit produces becomes noticeable when it is half-ripe. As time passes and the fruit continues to ripen, the odor becomes stronger. After it becomes fully ripe, however, the scent deteriorates quickly.

NOTE : One must take some time to clean the ripe fruit thoroughly as there needs to be removed some fibers that can cause itchiness on the tongue if eaten RAW

Traditional uses and benefits of Ceriman

1. Roots of monster fruit (or sometimes the leaves) are used in Mexico to make an infused beverage used to treat arthritis.

2. Inhabitants of the Caribbean island of Martinique prepare a cure for venomous snakebites from the roots of the monster fruit.

3.Wounds are sealed with a paste made from the mashed leaves of monster fruit in Brazil.

Chinese believe that various parts of the plant are an effective cure for a number of diseases, like bruises, cough, fever or some types of infection.

4. Due to high dose of potassium and vitamin C, a smoothie prepared from monster fruits is quite popular among sportsmen who want to have more stamina and raise their energy levels.

5. It also provides a useful mix of nutrients to cancer patients who recover after a period of radiotherapy

PLANT AVAILABILITY : This plant is available in all portable sizes at the Belipola Nursery

Contact Priyantha Palihakoon : +94779470305

64 views0 comments