Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern Brazil to Paraguay. |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A chamaephyte that usually grow to about 1.6 m wide and 1 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Roots | The roots are often reddish brown (about 9 – 14 mm in diameter) with longitudinal fissures. |
| Foliage | Leaves have slightly leathery (sub-coriaceous) blades. The upper surface is dark green and moderately glossy while the underside is slightly less green and weakly glossy. Leaves are pinnatisect with about 10 primary lateral lobes on each side. Two side of the blade are angled 20-30° upwards to the midrib. Usually 25 – 31 cm long and 17 – 25 cm wide, it is believed that the maximum size of the leaf blade can be over 1 m in length. Petioles (8 – 9 mm) are green, grooved and slightly glossy. A C-shaped canal is also present on the upper surfaces of the petioles. Narrow cataphylls are about 21 cm long and turn from green to dark brown when dried. |
| Stems | Stem is dark brown and about 3 – 5 cm in diameter with short internodes and presence of acrid sap. Leaf scars are conspicuous, about 2.7 – 3.4 cm wide and 0.9 – 1.8 cm high. |
| Flowers | Spathe usually 12.8 – 12.5 cm long, is leathery and is dark purple brown or deep purplish red. Creamed coloured spadix is 8.5 – 10.5 cm long, protruding up to 1.5 cm from the spathe. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Philodendron xanadu can be differentiated from Philodendron bipinnatifidum by looking at the shape of the petiole and the colour of the spathe. P. xanadu has a C-shaped canal along the petiole which P. bipinnatifidum often has a flat upper surface to the petiole. P. xanadu also have a deep purplish red spathe while the spathe of P. bipinnatifidum is green with a white interior. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
References
| References | Croat, T.B., Mayo, S. & Boos, J.. 2002. A new species of Brazilian Philodendron subgenus Meconostigma (Araceae). Aroideana. 25. 63-66 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 190 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1486 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
