While clearing undergrowth in my woods we found what we think are Philodendrons of a different species to what we already have.
Both are growing as terrestrial plants and working their way through the undergrowth looking for a tree.
This one has compound leaves which I thought unusual but the stem and petioles look like a Philodendron.
This one may be another Genus.
The bottom pic is not a aroid I am not sure what genus it is. Cissus come to mind but I am no expert on that group.
The top pic is a aroid. It will be hard to ID with out more photos of the how it is growing. One philo that looks similar is goldii which is a selfheading form. Syngoniums can produce similar leaves but they are vines. Their is a Xanthosoma species I have seen with similar leaves this will have a tuber under the ground. What ever it is it is interesting. More pics of the whole plant will help put a ID to exactly what it is. I have always been interested in cycanthus species do you see them often in your area? They look like palm trees that climb. They remind me of a cross between palms and aroids very odd group with very interesting flowers.
In this photo the stem is firmly attached to a fallen tree branch. From the node 4 leaf petioles are growing.
Another view of the top of the leaf and showing the petiole.
The underside of the leaf showing the vein arrangement.
I believe what you have there is one of the Syngonium species, quite common in our tropics. We even have that one growing wild in some places in south Florida. I have two species growing up my largest Royal Palm, and they have leaves much like the one in your pictures. That compound leaf is a mature leaf; the juvenile leaves are more simple arrowhead shaped leaves.
LariAnn
Aroidia Research
I think that you are correct. I have numerous Syngonium podophyllum. The leaflets are identical. In the new species the vein system has more branches.
The photo is off podophyllum
The intelligence of the Syngonium is quite remarkable apart from it's "computer" controlled reproductive system and the ability to generate heat.
I have many seedlings from last year's heavy fruit crop. One of the seedlings was overlooked and has grown rapidly. It was hidden in a flower bed and sent out a runner 2 meters long directly to a large post which it started to climb. The post has the same light source as the plant and is not in the shade.
I've found these to be invasive and hard to get rid of. Any bit's of the plant left behind when you pull them out just continue growing. They'll completely cover trees, or anything else that stand still long enough next to them.
