Scindapsus pictus Hassk.

Belajang susu (Scindapsus pictus) is a climbing plant up to 12 meters long from the Araceae family native to Bangladesh, distributed as far as Kalimantan, Java, and Sulawesi. Its white-speckled green young leaves make it a popular indoor climbing ornamental. Like other Scindapsus relatives, research shows belajang susu has anticancer activity.

Scindapsus pictus grows easily at elevations of 1-1,800 m asl, in moist, well-drained soil, fertile loamy soil, under full sun or partial shade, temperatures of 15°C-34°C, and rainfall of 1,600-3,000 mm per year.

• Stem round, succulent (water-containing).
• Leaves alternate and petiolate, blade somewhat rough or fleshy, green with white patches or spots, about 15 by 14 cm. It has two types of leaves: juvenile leaves on the lower part of the stem when young, and mature leaves at the tip of the taller plant. Juvenile leaves have an egg-shaped or heart-shaped blade, while mature leaves are oblong, spear-shaped or heart-shaped, and pale green underneath.
• Flowers borne on a cylindrical spadix, white, 3-6 cm long, covered by a flesh-white modified leaf, 5-7 cm long (spathe).
• Fruit dark green, a single-seeded berry.

Belajang susu can be propagated using seed and stem cuttings. Stem cuttings rooted in water are the best method for propagating Scindapsus pictus. Cut the stem right below a node and place the cutting into a jar of water. Wait several weeks until roots about 2.5 cm long appear. Plant in a suitable container with fresh potting mix. Scindapsus pictus plants can grow in water for several months, and are eventually transplanted into a suitable pot.

Alkaloids, steroid compounds.

Has anticancer activity.

Satin silver.