peace lily

peace lily, (genus Spathiphyllum), genus of about 40 to 60 species of flowering plants, native to tropical regions and sometimes considered a symbol of peace and tranquility. The name is often used specifically for Spathiphyllum wallisii, a popular houseplant. The common name has been attributed to the single white bract of the inflorescence, which resembles the white flag of surrender or peace. Peace lilies are not true lilies.

Members of the genus are native to warm, moist climates, including southern Mexico, Central and South America, and certain parts of Southeast Asia, and typically grow under the forest canopy. S. wallisii has been introduced to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and other areas outside its native range, though it is not considered an invasive species.

Physical description

Peace lilies are perennial monocots and have shiny dark-green foliage. The long leaves have entire margins and parallel venation and are borne on distinct petioles (leaf stalks). The plants range in size from 30 cm (about 12 inches) to about 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall, depending on the species or cultivar. The plants grow from seed and can be propagated by dividing a mature plant into smaller sections, then planting those sections as individuals.

Like most other aroids, peace lilies have a distinctive flowering structure composed of a spathe and spadix. The spathe is the prominent petal-like bract (modified leaf) and is frequently mistaken for the flower itself. The spathes of most species are white, but some are yellowish or yellow-green. The true flowers are minute and densely packed onto a thickened, cream-colored spike known as the spadix. Male pollen-producing flowers are borne near the top of the spadix, and female fruit-bearing flowers are borne toward the bottom.

Houseplant

Peace lilies, particularly S. wallisii and its cultivars, are popular houseplants worldwide for their attractive appearance, ease of care, and ability to thrive in low light (although peace lilies grown in brighter light are more likely to produce their signature white spathes). The plants dramatically wilt when the soil is too dry but typically revive with a good soak. They are touted as air-purifying plants and were found to remove the chemicals trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde from the air in a 1989 study conducted by NASA.

The lily’s leaves typically contain calcium oxalate, which form stinging, needle-shaped crystals known as raphides to deter herbivory. Contact with a broken leaf can irritate the skin, and ingestion can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and tongue, trouble swallowing, and nausea. The plants are considered mildly toxic to humans and other animals, including cats.