PHILODENDRON APPLANATUM
PROTOLOGUE: Philodendron applanatum , published in Archivos (Arquivos) do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro 15: 94 (1957). The protologue is reproduced below.
DISTRIBUTION: SE. Colombia to Peru and N. Brazil: Brazil North, Colombia, Peru.
SPECIES DESCRIPTION:
Translated from protologue: Caudex scandent, internodes up to 3 cm long; petiole 23 cm long, 2 cm wide, semicylindrical at the base, flattened toward the apex, with narrowly winged margins; lamina subcoriaceous, hastate, posterior lobes 13 cm long, 6 cm wide, oblong, obtuse, spreading almost horizontally and separated by a very broad, very obtuse sinus; anterior lobe 15 cm long, 7 cm wide, acuminate, narrowed at the base.
INFLORESCENCE:
Translated from protologue: Spathe green, 6 cm long, 2 cm wide when expanded; spadix slender, cylindrical, 5.5–6 cm long, 5 mm wide, stipitate for 3.5 mm; female inflorescence 1.5 cm long, male 4 cm long; pistils short, 5-locular, with 1 ovule per locule; male flowers tetrandrous.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin applanatus, “flattened,” referring to the conspicuously flattened upper portion of the petiole. The original account calls attention to this distinctive petiole form.
NOTES:
1. This species draws attention through the flattened form of the petiole. The only species approaching it is Philodendron angustialatum, but it has a different leaf shape and petiole dimensions.
REFERENCES:
1. Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Philodendron applanatum
2. Archivos (Arquivos) do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro 15: 94 (1957) — protologue.