It was cloudy most of the day with occasional showers. I was walking around Selbys and stepped into a bed to check out this philodendron and take a few photos.
I moved a cycad leaf to be able to see if there were flowers high up on the plant growing on a dead tree. Something moved and this being and I were staring at each other about 3 ft apart.
At first I thought it strange for a rat to have such large black eyes.......
I thought maybe someone's gerbil escaped, but that wasn't it either.
It was a flying squirrel!
I could see the difference in color and also the extra folds in his skin, like a coat that was too large.
If someone recognizes the Philodendron, I'd appreciate it.
I grow the philo and have not been able to get a good ID on it. Last I heard it could be a natural hybrid or a new species? Still not sure.
The species of the plant is Philodendron bipennifolium. This is a highly variable species and takes on many forms. Many of those forms have been introduced into horticulture as "new species" but they are only variations of the same species. However, it is easily capable of cross breeding in the wild with other species and often produces a natural hybrid in the forest so some we collect are actually hybrid forms. Brian Williams owns a very unique hybrid and was kind enough to give me a cutting.
One of the most sought after natural hybrids is Philodendron 'Joepii' but Joep himself explained that plant is a natural hybrid. There are only two known specimens of the hybrid in French Guiana and he collected cuttings of that single plant from which the ones many serious collectors grow have been propagated.
Many collectors believe this is Philodendron panduriforme but that is a totally different species. P. panduriforme looks nothing like Philodendron bipennifolium.
More info here for any that may be interested: http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Philodendron%20bipinnafolium%20pc.html
Photos of both plant species, some taken by trained botanists, are included on the page.
This message was edited Sep 6, 2010 9:14 AM
Cute flying squirrel. It's been along time since I have seen one.
Here are a two pictures of my Philodendron bipennifolium that show's just how variable this Philodendron can be along with your photos. Thanks to Steve for giving me a correct I.D. after I purchased the plant as P. panduriforme.
Here are a couple of photos of Philodendron panduriforme. The one attached here was taken by aroid botanist Dr. David Scherberich who is with a botanical garden in Nancy, France.
This photo is of a sub adult specimen taken in the wild. David authorized the use of the photo.
My sincere apologies! Right after I posted this I realized I incorrectly spelled the species name on the photo as I prepared it this morning. I will post it correctly below.
Steve
This message was edited Sep 7, 2010 6:59 AM
This photo of Philodendron panduriforme was taken in the wild by aroid botanist Dr. Tom Croat and appeared in an early issue of the International Aroid Society journal Aroideana.
I have yet to figure out why so many sellers, especially on eBay, sell Philodendron bipennifolium using the name P. panduriforme. The scientific descriptions are not even a close match. These are fully adult plants but were you to find a true juvenile it won't look like either photo since the early lobes are very small.
Steve
David's photo with the correct spelling........I hope.
Steve
This is the juvenile form of Philodendron panduriforme. None look like Philodendron bipennifolium as you can see.
Steve
