Philodendron sphalerum Schott

  • Authority

    Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.

  • Family

    Araceae

  • Scientific Name

    Philodendron sphalerum Schott

  • Description

    Species Description - Appressed hemiepiphytic climbers. Stems with internodes 1-5(18) X 1-2 cm, drying greenish, faintly striate, sometimes with smooth, light-brown, sometimes cracking, epidermis; cataphylls deciduous, ca. 12 cm long. Leaves: petiole sharply C-shaped in transverse section, broadly concave adaxially, 10-30 cm long; blade usually elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly ovate, 10-30 X 1-13(24) cm, acute to truncate and attenuate at base (rarely subcordate); primary lateral veins 4 or 5(7) per side, scarcely more conspicuous than interprimary veins. Inflorescences 1-6 per axil, drying light reddish-brown, the peduncle 4-9 cm long, drying 5 mm diam.; spathe 7.5-10 cm X 7—10 mm when closed, 2-3 cm wide when open, green to greenish white abaxially, creamy white or white adaxially, margins yellowish, the tube to ca. 3.5 cm long; spadix shortly stipitate, 6.5-10 cm long, the pistillate portion 1.5-3 cm X 2-7 mm, light green, the staminate portion acutely tapered to apex, 4-6 mm diam. Fl in the Guianas (May, Jul, Aug, Sep-Jan);

  • Distribution

    Fl in the Guianas (May, Jul, Aug, Sep-Jan); apparently rare, collected three times in the vicinity of Saul.

    French Guiana South America| Guyana South America| Suriname South America|