This plant is currently being studied by Dr. Thomas B. Croat at the Missouri Botanical Garden
as voucher number Croat 101488,  The information on this page is little more than my personal notes and observation but includes
scientific input by qualified aroid botanists and experts.  Information from their published papers is also included.
If you believe you have this species please be aware there are several species identified to science with a
similar appearance.  Please read these notes carefully to compare this specimen to your plant.

Philodendron
Species unknown
Voucher number Croat 101488

Philodendron Species unknown
Purportedly collected near Limón, Indanza Morona-Santiago, Ecuador
 

Text and photos compiled by Steve Lucas

Does it have a monopodial or a sympodial growth form? 
 

Aroid botanist  Dr. Thomas B. Croat Ph.D., P.A. Schulze Curator of Botany of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis  who is one of the world's leading aroid scientists briefly examined the specimen shown on this page in Miami in September, 2008.  He again examined it on June 19, 2009 in his office as well as having reviewed the photos on this page on more than one occasion.  He has also seen in personally in the Exotic Rainforest atrium and does not appear to believe this Philodendron has been identified to science. 

A leaf and petiole sample as well as several complete roots and a cataphyll have been delivered to Dr. Croat for drying to be deposited in the Missouri Botanical Garden herbarium.  These samples are currently under study by Dr. Croat as voucher number Croat 101488.  Once the specimen produces an inflorescence which can be collected and preserved for study an entire plant cutting will be collected to be grown in the MOBOT living plant collection.  At this point no scientific name has been assigned but one is under consideration.  A full set of photos and measurements was delivered to Dr. Croat's office in early December, 2009.  (Note: In the first week of May, 2010 a cluster of growth began on the plant that Dr. Croat confirmed was the formation of an inflorescence or inflorescences.  A photo of that cluster can be found later in this article.)

The specimen was acquired on September 19 at the 2008 International Aroid Society Show and Sale in Miami, FL.   Ecuagenera, a rare plant vendor from Ecuador, was just opening a box of plants and this one was on the top of the pile of plants.  Due to my interest in Philodendron and Anthurium with elongated lanceolate leaves I immediately asked the price even though there was no name on the plant.  Although I also asked where the specimen originated in the country the seller was hesitant to disclose the information for understandable reasons and appeared to know little about the origin of the plant.  He did volunteer it had been collected "near"  Limón.  As a result of some of the odd characteristics of the specimen I immediately took the newly acquired plant directly to Dr. Croat who was just across the room. 

Tom's first comment was the specimen's petioles were sulcate and also indicated he had never seen the species before.  Sulcate can indicate one or both of two characteristics.  The term can apply to a plant with a "C" shaped groove known as a sulcus running down the axis of a petiole, midrib or other plant feature or the plant has fine parallel grooves on one or more of the same plant parts.  This specimen demonstrates both. 

In an email received in mid April, 2009 Dr. Croat stated, "I had another look at the Philodendron.  It most closely resembles Philodendron parvilobum Croat but that species has little basal lobes.  It somewhat resembles Philodendron heterophyllum Poeppig but I don’t think that it is that either."  An enlarged petiole photo of this and other characteristics can be found at the conclusion of this article.

Limón, Indanza Morona-Santiago Province, Ecuador is south of Quito and the province borders with Peru found in the central southeastern part of the county.   The economy of the region relies on rain forest tourism and the national Sangay park.  According to my friend Elizabeth Campbell who lives in Quito, Limón has very high humidity and remains between 80 to 90%.   The area is midway between a wet and dry rain forest and is at an elevation of approximately 500 to 600 meters (1,650 to 2,350 feet) above sea level. The temperature averages 35 C (95 F) in the summer and close to 30 C (86 F) during the wet season.   Since the plant is an epiphyte (ep-a-FIT) it would normally grow in the mid to upper canopy which is typical of the type of forest in the region.  As a result it should normally receive partial sun.   Aroids in that area of Ecuador normally produce an inflorescence during the transition between the wet and dry seasons.  We have duplicated these conditions as closely as possible in our atrium in order to encourage the plant to begin the process of reproduction.

It must be noted the exact collection data was not recorded and neither the area nor point of collection can be verified. 

The genus Philodendron is divided into three subgenera which include subgenus Philodendron, subgenus Meconostigma and subgenus Pteromischum.  Those subgenera are then further divided into sections and subsections based on the individual characteristics of the plant.

 After reexamining the specimen in his office Dr, Croat indicated the Philodendron was a member of  Philodendron subsection Glossophyllum Schott  and is placed in series Glossophyllum.  Other specimens in the Exotic Rainforest collection in this section/series which are somewhat similar include Philodendron pseudauriculatum and Philodendron bakeri.  The top photo at the top of this page was taken on August 11, 2009, eleven months after the plant was acquired.  The second photo shows the plant as it appeared on the day it was added to the collection in Northwest Arkansas.  The blade indicated on the left of the photo is the higher of the two blades in the second photo on this page.  The other blade in the same photo has since died and been removed.

Philodendron species in Philodendron series Glossophyllum possess leaves that are more or less oblong and as well as acute (tapering to a point) but may frequently be cordulate to sub-cordate (less than hear shaped) at the base. The primary lateral leaf veins should be distinct and the stems are typically scandent and specimens often possess an annulus (colored ring).  Scandent indicates a plant grows pressed close to its host. 

Our specimen has demonstrated itself to be an epiphytic or hemiepiphytic climbing vine.  The petioles which connect the leaf blade to the stem are spongy to the touch as well as sulcate (broadly canaliculate) to almost "D" shaped at the apex but shallower near the base. 

The blades are subcoriaceous (less than leathery) with a rubber-like consistency as well as being  oblanceolate (both oblong and lance shaped) .  As they mature they reflex and turn back.

The mid rib and petioles appear sulcate although the midrib is sharply convex near the base.   Sulcate indicates either a canal known as a sulcus or having numerous fine parallel grooves.

The veins on any leaf are divided into classifications which include the midrib, primary lateral veins, interprimary veins and tertiary or minor veins  The midrib at the center of any leaf of the Philodendron discussed here is flattened to slightly to moderately convex on the adaxial (upper) surface but sharply convex and curved on the abaxial (lower) surface.  The midrib is sulcate due to small parallel grooves that run along the axis. 

The support for the leaves of an aroid are known as petioles.  The petiole is a shoot-like stalk that connects the lamina of the leaf at the petiole's apex (top) to the specimen's stem which is found growing at the base of the petiole.  The petioles emerge from buds along the stem.  Their purpose is to support the leaf as well as transfer water and nutrients though their own cellular structure known as the xylem. 

In most Philodendron species cataphylls would surround each unfurling new leaf.  A cataphyll is a bract-like modified leaf that surrounds any new leaf and whose purpose is to protect the new leaf during development.  On the new growth of this specimen rather than a cataphyll the specimen produced a sheath-like double ribbed prophyll which is closely related to a cataphyll. 

After consulting with my friends and aroid experts Julius Boos and Leland Miyano I developed a somewhat better understanding of the slight difference between a cataphyll and a prophyll.   At one time I thought the reduced foliar leaf blade (simply a blade that does not grow to its maximum potential) I was at first seeing was a cataphyll.  A reduced leaf blade may be produced as a result of the plant temporarily changing its shoot growth from a monopodial growth form to a sympodial growth but is common in sympodial species.  However, Leland explained the plant could still be monopodial, "Your plant is monopodial in it's current juvenile/sub adult stage.  It is a stage of it's ontology."  Ontogeny is the normal growth of a living organism from early juvenile to adult or the process of an organism growing and the events involved in the changes to the organism as it grows from a seedling to a fully mature specimen.  P. B. Tomlinson in his Anatomy of the Monocotyledons: Gramincae. 1960. -Vol.2: Palmae states within aroids, based on the work of Dr. Tom Ray of the University of Oklahoma, published in 1986,  monopodial growth forms have the base of the petiole ensheathing the stem while in sympodial growth forms the base of the petiole does not ensheath the stem.

The subject of monopodial compared to sympodial growth along with that of prophylls versus cataphylls is complex and this writer makes no claim to have more than a very basic understanding of the subject.  Several noted aroid botanists prefer not to recognize the term "prophyll" as of any consequential value while others use it regularly in their journals and published articles,  To fully understand the growth forms in this plant would require the new growth shown to be dissected and destroyed, something I am unwilling to allow.  As a result, my comments are based solely on reading as much scientific material as I can locate including portions of Tom Ray's work published in 1986, Dr. Simon Mayo's A Revision of Philodendron Subgenus Meconostigma (Araceae) published in 1991, information found in the scientific text The Genera of Araceae by Simon Mayo, Peter Boyce and Josef Bogner along with explanations shared by qualified experts. 

My limited understanding is a monopodial growth is composed of a single stem with roots, petioles, blades etc. that grow upwards attached to its host.  The name comes from the Greek words "mono" (single) and "podial" (foot).   A monopodial growth terminates in the production of an inflorescence but then new growth continues to climb upwards on the host.  In monopodial growth the stem may grow side branches while also continuing to grow from the tip.  In monopodial growth when a new blade is formed a cataphyll normally encases the new shoot.  The word "terminates" as used in this article does not indicate the end of all growth.  Instead the growth may slightly reroute and continue.  The plant is actually producing a new growth section which will include more leaves as well as cataphylls/prophylls and inflorescences.  Some of the inflorescences often abort before becoming fully developed.

A prophyll is always the first unit to begin growth on the new stem in a sympodial growth form.  The new shoot begins with a prophyll that does not necessarily encase the new blade or a set of several leaf blades is followed by a leaf that is often reduced in size .  Sympodial growth terminates, or ends the sequence,  with the production of an inflorescence which completes the sympodial growth sequence but does not end the growth of the plant.  Instead, the growth continues in a slightly rerouted state known as a "continuation shoot".   

My friend Julius explains further, "Bear in mind that in even a ''simple'' and easily observed example of sympodial growth such as observing a young Meconostigma, the inflorescence is generally aborted while still microscopic and still well hidden inside the leaf sheath, so the visible growth pattern is--- prophyll, then new leaf, (the bloom is not produced and aborts while inside and hidden in the new leaf sheath), then new prophyll, then another new leaf, etc. The plant will bloom when adult size is attained or the blooming season comes around."

In the scientific text The Genera of Araceae (TGOA) the definition of prophyll is:  "prophyll--the first leaf of a branch or a sympodial unit; in all Araceae almost always a 2-keeled cataphyll, often confused w/ cataphyll : cataphyll refers to a particular type of morphology (reduced leaf), prophyll refers to the position of the leaf along a branch."  Therefore a prophyll is a specialized leaf form (specialized type) of cataphyll with two keels on the abaxial surface (underside).

Aroid botanist Dr. Alistair Hay explains a "sympodial unit terminates in an inflorescence, at which point a new unit starts, first a prophyll, then a leaf or a set of several leaves, then another inflorescence which gets displaced and may appear to be lateral, this inflorescence ends this sympodial unit/sequence."    Alistair sent this personal note on this plant having a prophyll versus a cataphyll, "There is a strict definition of a prophyll: the first foliar organ on a new axis (a special sort of cataphyll), and it always has distinctive form  with two keels, whereas an ordinary cataphyll has one or none."  As noted by Alistair in his email, and after closely examining a photo of the abaxial surface (underside) of the reduced blade (smaller in size than normal) that appeared to me to be a cataphyll I can see no evidence of a "double keel". 

Although I had at first thought the reduced foliar leaf was a "cataphyll" since it was the first growth I noticed  But then based on the suggestions of Leland I began I realized there the reduced leaf did not possess a double keel (two ribs).  Leland suggested I look elsewhere and indeed a prophyll could be observed with the double keels easily seen.  In time the prophyll reflexes, dies and drops from the plant.   The prophyll in a reflexed position can be seen above to the right.  A prophyll in the erect position before reflexing (turning back) can be seen to the left above.

Shortly after receiving Alistair's note I received the following from aroid botanist Dr. Simon Mayo of the Royal Botanic Garden Kew in London.  Although somewhat technical any serious aroid collector should be able to appreciate the detail in Simon's response, "I would agree with Alistair about this. The most common architecture in Philodendron is for each unit to consist of a prophyll with two keels followed by a foliage leaf with virtually no sheath (this is the situation in a plant which isn't flowering but is mature). However, when a side bud develops, e.g. following damage to the main shoot as Alistair says, you get a different sequence. There is actually a prophyll with two keels but it's so small you won't see it, and this is followed by a series of cataphylls (foliar organs without differentiated blades and usually a single keel), which transform into foliage leaves with more and more well developed blades; these will have well-developed sheaths because this young shoot starts off in the monopodial mode (continuous shoot growth from the same apex). However, at some point in the sequence of growth of this side shoot, there will be a switch to sympodial growth, where you get the normal mature succession of prophyll and sheath less foliage leaf.

The differentiation of cataphylls and prophylls can seem very confusing. The prophyll is the first foliar organ on a new axis but a cataphyll is any foliar organ that has no differentiation of petiole and blade - cataphylls basically seem more like a sheath.  So the definition of a cataphyll is not about its position but about its form. So this means it's possible to have prophylls which are cataphylls and cataphylls which are not prophylls; also it's possible to have prophylls which have blades and cataphylls which are prophylls!! The usual situation is that prophylls are also cataphylls (i.e. sheath-like and no blade) and have two keels. The foliar organs which follow a prophyll are very commonly cataphylls, in all sorts of aroids, think of a developing Amorphophallus inflorescence for example. However, as Philodendron shows, a prophyll may be followed directly by a full blown foliage leaf. Anthurium's normal architecture has a prophyll (in the form of a cataphyll) followed by a cataphyll followed by a foliage leaf. in each sympodial unit. Tom Ray, who studied this subject in great detail in the 1980's used the term mesophyll for the cataphylls which followed a prophyll, and the term "reduced leaf" for a leaf which is intermediate between a cataphyll and a properly developed foliage leaf. An example here is is Monstera, where it is very common for the leaf in whose sheath the inflorescence appears has a much reduced blade compared with those immediately preceding it."

Including the "reduced leaf blade" as of early May, 2009 there were five blades open.  Many of the leaf blades did not have an ensheathing cataphyll (prophyll).  By early August the specimen had produced a total of ten new blades but none were en-sheathed.  Although no ensheathing cataphyll has been observed yet the 10th leaf blade finally produced the first large cataphyll which was also double keeled.   Finally, on August 12, 2009 the eleventh blade began to emerge and it was clearly obvious it would be fully en-sheathed.

The prophylls were there on all the previous leaves but  were simply too small to be seen.   The second visible prophyll measuring 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) emerged with the fourth foliage leaf blade.  Incidentally, the fourth foliage leaf to emerge produced the second prophyll in exactly the manner as described by Dr. Mayo above, "The most common architecture in Philodendron is for each unit to consist of a prophyll with two keels followed by a foliage leaf with virtually no sheath (this is the situation in a plant which isn't flowering but is mature). However, when a side bud develops, e.g. following damage to the main shoot as Alistair says, you get a different sequence. There is actually a prophyll with two keels but it's so small you won't see it, and this is followed by a series of cataphylls (foliar organs without differentiated blades and usually a single keel), which transform into foliage leaves with more and more well developed blades; these will have well-developed sheaths because this young shoot starts off in the monopodial mode (continuous shoot growth from the same apex). However, at some point in the sequence of growth of this side shoot, there will be a switch to sympodial growth, where you get the normal mature succession of prophyll and sheath less foliage leaf."  See progression of photos below.  

It now appears the plant is indeed possesses sympodial rather than monopodial growth as was earlier assumed.  In August, 2009 the the stem sections between most all the original blades have begun to elongate.  The petioles have begun to elongate and the roots, internodes, and nodes can now be easily observed between several of the leaf blades (see photo below).  In the earlier stages those characteristics were so closely spaced not even the stem could be seen. 

The newest leaf blades measure approximately the same as the original blades on the specimen when it was acquired.  Once the eleventh blade began to emerge it was obvious the plant began to produce a leaf that was fully en-sheathed by a double ribbed cataphyll.  (See photo right).

After reviewing this page at my request I received this extremely explanative observation from aroid botanist Peter Boyce regarding what is happening in the growth architechture of this specimen..  Pete works and teaches aroid botany in the rain forests of Malaysia.  He stated, "I suspect what is happening is the 'monopodial' stem is truly a series of superimposed sympodia giving the impression of monopodial growth which could be described as physiognomically monopodial.  Once in a while the plant produces a side shoot which is actually a displaced sympodium appearing sympodial. These 'displaced' sympodia are the flowering modules.  It can be paraphrased as long-(lateral short)-long. I'm sorry if this is a bit convoluted since it is quite tricky to describe.  There occurs a similar shoot architecture in Malaysian Rhaphidophora angusta (formerly R. pteropoda).  At the moment, the plant is a bit young to be certain this is happening but given the short 'lateral jags' the main 'monopodial' axis displays I am pretty sure this new species has this architecture rather than the long-short-long architecture of species such as Philodendron linnaei.   Shoot architecture is a very much overlooked aspect of Araceae taxonomy because you need to work with living plants and observe them over a long period of time."

The word "sympodia" from the root sympodium indicates a primary axis that develops from a series of short lateral branches.  The primary or main axis is therefore made up of many lateral branches and each branch will grow from the one that grew just before.   Each branch is an extension of the growth from the lateral axis but not from the original tip and at the end of each sympodial branch the growth will end with the production of an inflorescence. 

A sympodium often zigzags in a less than regular form as it produces new shoots.  It would appear this Philodendron has "stacked" or "superimposed" sympodia as Pete suggested and may have not been monopodial as was determined from photographs alone.  Certainly those experts that made that observation are highly qualified to make such a determination but none had the opportunity to observe it personally on a long term basis.  Only additional observation by a qualified botanist can determine that fact for certain. 

Perhaps the advantage we have in learning more about the growth architecture of this specimen is it is growing in an artificial "rain forest" where it can be observed on a daily basis.  The disadvantage is I am not personally qualified to make any scientific determination. 

No inflorescence had been observed but as a result of the growth architecture the sympodial growth may soon terminate with the production of an inflorescence as explained by Pete Boyce as well as earlier in this article by Australian botanist Alistair Hay.   However, there is now some reason to doubt the plant is truly sympodial.

As of November 24, 2009 I was somewhat dubious as to whether or not  this specimen is sympodial since only monopodial growth has been observed since shortly after the beginning of these observations.  However, as of May 2010 the plant appears to be forming a terminal inflorescence as is common with sympodial plants.  More observation will be required to be certain.  As stated earlier, I delivered one of the two original leaf blades to Dr. Croat on November 21, 2009 for drying and the specimen is currently under study as voucher number Croat 101488. 

For over one and one half years we have been awaiting the production of an inflorescence so the next phase of identifying the plant and possibly describing it to science can begin.  In early May 2010 the development of an "inflorescence"  appeared to have been finally observed.   That apparent "inflorescence" turned out to be a deformed leaf so the spathe and spadix were never observed.

In September, 2010 Ecuagenera brought additional specimens of this plant to the International Aroid Show and Sale in Miami, FL.  A second specimen was purchased at the same time and now resides in the Exotic Rainforest collection.  A large cutting of Croat 101488 now also resides in the collection of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

In time, perhaps the plant will be rediscovered in the wild and observed in nature,   A new scientific name has already been selected so now we await the production of an inflorescence.

My sincere thanks to Dr. Croat as well as all the aroid botanists and experts that have contributed to this text.

 

 

Below are additional magnified versions of some of the photos seen on this page as well as additional photos not presented in the text.
 

 

 

Below: The  specimen as it appeared on August 7, 2009. 
One of the original leaf blades is noted to the left of the photo and can be seen
as the upper blade in the second photo at the very top of this page.

 

 

Above:  The first newly emerged leaf blade was simply a reduced foliage leaf blade.  Even though a cataphyll is normally seen before the blade opens, in this case there was no cataphyll enveloping the blade.  Instead there was a prophyll sitting off to the side of the base of the first reduced leaf.  As can be observed in this photo a second and third foliar leaf soon formed while additional new growth is visible on the stem. 

 

Above:  The fourth leaf blade as well as the second visible prophyll produced in the exact progression as described by
Dr. Simon Mayo in the text above  The sequence of growth shown is from the side shoot caused when the plant was cut during collection in Ecuador,   Note the change to sympodial growth where the mature plant succession of prophyll and sheath-less foliage leaves are followed by another prophyll. 

 

Above:  Prophyll reflexing, turning brown and beginning to die.
Soon after it dropped from the plant.
 

Above: Stem with relatively fine roots and pubescence. 
Internodes measure 6.35 to 7.6 cm (2.5 to 3 inches).  

Below:  Aerial roots growing from the stem.

 

Below: Double keeled cataphyll developing alongside blade #10

 

 

Below: Double keeled cataphyll developing en-sheathing blade #11