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Thaumatophyllum spruceanum Schott
| Family Name: | Araceae |
| Synonyms: | Philodendron goeldii G.M.Barroso |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, northern Brazil, Suriname, French Guiana |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a perennial, climbing or hemiepiphytic aroid. Younger and smaller plants may grow erect but eventually might require support as the plant gets older. |
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| Roots | The adventitious roots can grow long and up to 1 cm thick, often hanging down on epiphytic plants. In terrestrial plants, the roots behave like prop roots, keeping the plant and stem erect. They sprout from stem nodes and aid in attaching the plant to tree trunks or any climbing support. When injured, the roots produce a thick, clear resin, which eventually turns yellow-orange. |
| Foliage | The leaves are uniquely shaped, being pedately compound with two rachides (singular. rachis: the main stem of a compound leaf that holds the leaflets) curving outwards and back. The leaflets are dark glossy green, oblong to elliptic, up to 50 cm long and 10 cm wide, and progressively gets smaller towards the distal ends of the rachides. The petiole (leaf stalk) can reach up to 140 cm long. |
| Stems | The stem can get up to 7 cm in diameter and is covered in leaf-scars. When injured, the stem produces a thick, clear resin, which eventually turns yellow-orange. |
| Flowers | The inflorescence is a white spadix, subtended by a spathe; both are borne on the leaf axil. The spathe is glossy and cream-coloured on the inside, and green with scattered extrafloral nectaries on the outside. The spadix can reach up 11 - 20 cm tall, with male flowers at the upper part of the spadix, sterile male flowers in the middle portion, and females flowers towards the base. Each flower is highly reduced with either 3-4 stamens on male flowers and a single pistil on female flowers. The inflorescence exhibit floral thermogenesis, where it produces heat to disperse insect-attracting odours. |
| Fruit | The infructescence is a cluster of berries that ripens to greenish-white. |
| Habitat | It can be found in permanently flooded (igapó) forest, seasonally flooded (várzea) forest, terra firme forest, Amazonian 'caatinga' (somewhat stunted, xeromorphic forests on nutrient-poor soils, especially white sand), or closed secondary forest by roadsides, common on river margins both as terrestrial and epiphytic plants. |
| Associated Fauna | In its native range, the flowers are pollinated by Cyclocephala beetles. |
| Cultivation | This species grows best in moist but porous, well-draining media, and full sun to partial shade conditions. It can be grow as a container plant or in the ground, with or without support although older and larger plant will eventually require one. Roots are aggressive and will grow out of the pot, attaching to walls, the ground or other surfaces. It can be propagated by seeds and stem cuttings. This species has been sold under the trade name of Philodendron 'Fun Bun'. |
| Etymology | The genus Thaumatophyllum is derived from the Greek thaumato, "wonder, miracle" and phyllon, "leaf", referring to the beautiful and peculiar leaves of the type species (Thaumatophyllum spruceanum). The specific epithet spruceanum is named in honour of Richard Spruce, a 19th century English botanist who collect the plant. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This species is a good candidate for shady areas, courtyards, and the sides of pool and water features. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form, Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Aggressive Roots, Irritant - Sap, Toxic Upon Ingestion |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Aggressive Roots: The roots may grow and attach on walls or other surface. When removing the roots, they may damage the wall paint and the surface it attached on. When grown in a container, the roots will grow out of the pot and attached to the surrounding surfaces or root into the ground. Irritant - Sap, Toxic Upon Ingestion: All parts of plant contains calcium oxalate crystals in their sap, causing mouth and throat irritation if ingested, and possible itchiness if in contact with the skin. Keep away from pets and children. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp)) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Leathery, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Compound |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Acute, Rounded / Obtuse |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Aboveground (Aerial Root), Underground (Fibrous Root) |
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Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White |
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| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Inflorescence Type | Spathe & Spadix |
| Ovary Position | Superior / Hypogynous |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
References
| References | Sakuragui, C.M. et al. (2018). Recognition of the genus Thaumatophyllum Schott − formerly Philodendron subg. Meconostigma (Araceae) − based on molecular and morphological evidence. PhytoKeys 98: 51–71. eMonocot Team Philodendron goeldii - G.M.Barroso CATE Araceae https://cate-araceae.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/1912/descriptions (accessed 17 February 2025) |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30999 |
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| Species ID | 5386 |
| 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. |
