# Goosefoot-plant (*Syngonium podophyllum*)

Goosefoot plants are fun, leafy plants that can grow indoors or outdoors. They have beautiful, arrow-shaped leaves that can be green or even colorful!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Tropical forests

![Goosefoot-plant](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Zingiber_malaysianum.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zingiber_malaysianum.jpg)

## Appearance

The Goosefoot-plant has distinctive, arrow-shaped leaves that often display a striking variegation of green, white, pink, or red. As the plant matures, its leaves can become deeply lobed, resembling a bird's foot.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Alismatales
- **Family:** Araceae
- **Genus:** Syngonium

## Interesting facts

- In its wild home, it can grow enormous leaves and climb high into trees!
- Its leaves actually change shape as the plant gets older, like magic!
- Many Goosefoot plants have brightly colored leaves, not just green, like pink and red!
- This plant is sometimes called "Arrowhead Vine" because its leaves look like arrow tips!

## Special abilities

- **Shape-shifter Leaves:** Goosefoot-plant has unique leaves that change shape as it grows, making older plants look very different!
- **Climbing Roots:** Goosefoot-plant can grow special aerial roots that help it climb high up trees to reach more sunlight.
- **Low-Light Hero:** Goosefoot-plant can thrive in shadier spots, allowing it to grow where other plants might struggle.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 15-90 cm
- **Spread:** 20-60 cm
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Leafcutter Ant (*Atta cephalotes*) — Ants cut and carry its leaves for their fungus gardens.
- **Eats:** Pest Slug (*Sarasinula plebeia*) — Slugs may feed on its leaves, leaving holes.
- **Shelter:** Green and Black Poison Dart Frog (*Dendrobates auratus*) — Its dense foliage provides a hiding spot for small frogs.

## Traits

- [Climbing/Vine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/climbing-vine): Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots.
- [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Always wash your hands after touching plants, just to be safe!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Goosefoot-plant?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Goosefoot-plant?

15-90 cm

### How wide does Goosefoot-plant spread?

20-60 cm

### Is Goosefoot-plant edible?

No

### Is Goosefoot-plant toxic?

Mild

### What is Goosefoot-plant's lifecycle?

Perennial

### Where is Goosefoot-plant usually found?

Tropical forests

## Where to spot

- [Lyon Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lyon-arboretum) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Goosefoot-plant: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goosefoot-plant)