Monstera
Common name: Swiss Cheese Plant
Scientific name: Monstera Deliciosa
Where to Find: Rainforests
Status: Introduced
Monstera is naturally found in Central America, but has been introduced to Hawaiʻi for ornamental purposes. It is widely cultivated as a houseplant due to its beautiful and unique split leaf structure. The fruit from this plant is edible and tastes like a mix between pineapple, coconut, and banana. This species thrives in warm and rainy ecosystems, and can often be spotted along the road to Hāna.
Did You Know?
Monstera fruit that is not yet ripe contains calcium oxalate crystals, and consuming it too early can lead to irritation of the mouth and throat.
