Also encountered as: Apolaki, Scindapsus Apolaki, Scindapsus Exotica Aurea “Apolaki”
Family: Araceae
Genus: Scindapsus
Species: Unresolved
Naming status: Horticultural / trade name
Origin / provenance: Unresolved; associated horticulturally with the Philippines
“Apolaki” is a horticultural name used for a variegated Scindapsus circulating in international plant trade.
The plant is also encountered horticulturally as Scindapsus Exotica Aurea “Apolaki.” This association is established in horticultural usage, but documentation demonstrating Exotica ancestry has not been identified. It is therefore treated as a horticultural association rather than verified ancestry.
Plants circulated as “Apolaki” generally have broad green foliage with irregular yellow to yellow-green variegation. The amount and distribution of variegation can vary considerably between leaves.
The name Apolaki has documented roots in Philippine cultural traditions. Apolaki appears in accounts of Philippine divinities as a deity associated with the sun and warriors. Horticultural sources state that the plant was named for Apolaki, but documentation identifying the original namer or independently establishing the circumstances in which the name was chosen has not been identified.
Apolaki is associated horticulturally with the Philippines, including its circulation among Philippine Scindapsus material. However, documentation establishing the location where the horticultural selection originated, its original grower or selector, or an original collection locality has not been identified.
Some horticultural sources describe Apolaki as a cultivar and make claims concerning an original registered clone. Documentation establishing such a registration has not been identified. The Library therefore does not treat Apolaki as a documented registered cultivar.
Publicly accessible records located during this research document Apolaki in horticultural circulation by at least late 2023. This establishes a minimum documented date for its circulation, not the date when the plant originated or was first named.
Variegated Greens classification: Horticultural name of unresolved botanical identity.
Its botanical identity, original selector or namer, precise origin, documented ancestry, circumstances of introduction and claims of cultivar registration remain unresolved.
Research current as of September 2026.