Last spring I bought this plant from North Haven Gardens in Dallas, Texas. It is one that they propagate from their private collection. It is unnamed but it is definitely a Philodendron. Anyone know what it is called?
Identification help please.
Looks like Philodendron hederaceum.
Hi Rachel!
This is from lower Puna.
http://cubits.org/tropicalplantphotodict/thread/view/11434/
No I don't think that is right. My leaves are bigger and a brighter green. Anyone else?
Philodendron hederaceum is highly variable. It was previously known as Philodendron micans, P. oxycardium, & P. scandens.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/123604/
http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Philodendron%20hederaceum%20pc.html
To get a definitive ID you'd probably need a taxonomist, or get DNA tests done. Many aroids are highly variable, especially between young and old plants. I wouldn't look to leaf colour and size as an indicator. That's too easily a result of culture/environment. There's many superficial features that give a better indication, such as flowers, leaf venation, stems, etc. My guess would also be Philodendron hederaceum.
Begoniadude, we've got your taxonomist! Dr. Croat will be at the Fort Worth IAS meeting and can tell you for certain. I think you may have something else due to the venation but sometimes differences are difficult to see in a photo. If you will bring a small cutting to the meeting Tom can tell you for sure!
What is the largest size leaf you have seen on this plant or its parent? At a certain age Philodendron hederaceum (scandens, micans, oxycardium, miduhoi, etc) can take on slightly different appearances but as they turn into the adult form they are all the same.
Have you looked up Philodendron melanochrysum? It is possible this is a young specimen and I've recently come across another newly named species from French Guiana that could also be very similar.
See you Saturday!
Steve
This message was edited Oct 24, 2010 9:45 PM
Can you describe the petiole that supports each leaf? Is it round, does it have ridges on either side of the upper surface, can you see what appears to be tiny grooves on the upper surface with a strong minifying glass? Try to use the larges leaf you can find to make the comparison.
If this is P. hederaceum it can appear slighly different from other known species.
I also believe it is Philodendron hederaceum Aka Micans. The reason most people would not thinks so is because they see only juvenile plants. It is rare to see this species at a more mature size usually it requires the plants to be grown up a totem at least 3 to 6 feet before it's leaves reach this size. Once this size it rarely reverts back even when cut. Here is a picture of a more mature hederaceum I took this year.
