Philodendron

The name Philodendron is the contraction of two Greek words: philo-, meaning "love or affection" and -dendron, meaning "tree".  Philodendrons represent the second largest genus, of around 450 species, in the Arceae family, second only to Anthuriums.  With a genus that large, Philodendrons have a lot of diversity in niches, habits and appearances.

To demonstrate the diversity, there are philodendron species that sprout from seed in the upper tree canopy of the tropical forest where it begins life as a hemiepiphyte.  As it matures and becomes a true epiphyte and as it grows larger then it will cascade aerial roots which eventually reach the forest floor where it becomes terrestrially rooted.

Others begin the life cycle in complete reverse by germinating on the ground and eventually climbing a tree,  The transition occurs when they eliminate the terrestrial roots and live epiphytically entirely.

The toxicity associated with philodendron is relatively low, though they do create small quantities of oxalate crystals in the form of raphides, sharp needle shaped cells that cause oral irritation if ingested and discourages herbivores.