PHILODENDRON CHIMANTAE
PROTOLOGUE: Philodendron chimantae , published in Acta Botanica Venezuelica 10: 292 (1975). The protologue is reproduced below.
DISTRIBUTION: Colombia to S. Venezuela: Colombia, Venezuela.
SPECIES DESCRIPTION:
Translated from protologue: Climbing herb with the leaves crowded toward the apex. Stem 5 cm in diameter, the internodes much shortened, ca. 0.6 cm long, covered above with light brown fibrous remains of the cataphylls. Cataphyll 21–24 cm long, delicate and undulate at the margin, pale rose below, greenish above, convex on the back, soon withering. Petiole 41–71 cm long, nearly semiterete and laterally compressed, with a spreading winged extension on each side ventrally up to 0.3 cm wide, wider toward the apex (3–5 cm) and sometimes undulate, sheathing in the lower 6.5 cm. Leaf blade coriaceous, broadly ovate-triangular in outline, sometimes inequilateral, the margins convex or straight, 1.16–1.55 times longer than wide, acuminate at the apex; posterior lobes rounded or subtrapezoid with rounded angles, separated by a broadly bell-shaped sinus 11–12 cm long; blade 35–52 cm long and 27–43 cm wide (at the extreme base), the margin undulate; primary veins of the midrib about 8 on each side, nearly straight, ascending at 45°–55°, arching and vanishing near the margin, the minor veins leaving the primaries at varying angles; in each posterior lobe about 5–6 primary veins joined into a posterior rib that is naked in the sinus for 3–5.5 cm; adaxially dark green and slightly glossy, the midrib and posterior ribs yellowish, the midrib flat toward the base and grooved above, the larger lateral veins grooved; abaxially silvery green, the midrib, posterior ribs and primary veins yellowish and conspicuously raised.
INFLORESCENCE:
Translated from protologue: Peduncle solitary, 12–14 cm long, pale green or faintly wine-flushed at the apex. Spathe to 14.5 cm long, the tube 6.5–7.5 cm long and 3.2 cm thick, scarcely constricted above, rusty or wine-colored outside, the blade pale green outside. Spadix about equaling the spathe. Pistillate flowers cylindrical or 4–6-angled, the ovary equaling two-thirds of the flower’s length and 5–7(4–8)-locular, the locules with 2–5(–6) ovules near the base. Staminate flowers (6–)5–4-androus from the base to the apex of the spadix.
ECOLOGY:
Found as a common epiphyte on tree trunks on the forested lower southwest-facing slopes of Chimantá-tepuí (1,000 m) and in evergreen forest on the hills between the Yuruaní and Cuquenán rivers; elsewhere in dense woods on flat ground and steep slopes, and on open, herb-covered slopes bordering rocky banks. Recorded at 400–1,130 m.
ETYMOLOGY:
The epithet chimantae is a geographic genitive meaning “of Chimantá.” Although the original description does not explicitly explain the name, it likely refers to the Chimantá Massif in Bolívar state, Venezuela, where the type was collected on the slopes of Chimantá-tepuí.
NOTES:
1. Philodendron chimantae is recognized by its generally coriaceous, ovate to ovate-triangular blades (especially on younger plants), which typically dry brown, and especially by its petioles, which are flattened adaxially with marginal wings and sometimes conspicuously triangular with the adaxial surface sharply ridged (especially on younger plants). The spathe tube is maroon-red and the spathe blade pale creamy green.
2. The species is similar to, and appears to be closely related to, Philodendron fragrantissimum; the two never occur together. Both have a short stem with short internodes, large leaves with prominent posterior lobes, and petioles frequently D-shaped to obtusely V-shaped in cross section. Philodendron fragrantissimum differs in occurring usually below 200 m in eastern Venezuela (up to 900 m in western Venezuela, and also in Panama), in having petioles with merely erect marginal ribs rather than wings, in having cataphylls that promptly weather into a dense mass of reddish brown fibers, and in having broadly ovate leaf blades. Philodendron chimantae may have a broad, open sinus and broadly triangular blades when young but develops a narrow sinus with age; its cataphylls persist intact at least at the apex and are ultimately deciduous, any visible fibers are pale rather than reddish brown, and its inflorescences are more long-pedunculate.
3. Type locality: Venezuela, Bolívar, lower southwest-facing forested slopes of Chimantá-tepuí (Torono-tepuí), at the extreme southern end of the north side of the Río Tirica (left-hand branch), Chimantá Massif, 1,000 m.
REFERENCES:
1. Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Philodendron chimantae
2. Acta Botanica Venezuelica 10: 292 (1975) — protologue.
3. Croat, T.B. & Lambert, N. 1986. The Araceae of Venezuela. Aroideana 9: 3–213