From: "ExoticRainforest" <Steve at exoticrainforest.com> on 2008.08.15 at 01:56:44(18377)
(!FILE)
Some months ago I posted the photo below on Aroid l seeking a possible identification. Two possible names came back but the first, 'Angra dos Reis', could not be located anywhere. The second was a form of Philodendron hederaceum and some of you may recall I had difficulty with that as a possibility.
Here's way: My plant has very long petioles, the cataphylls differ from Philodendron hederaceum, and quite a few other differences could be observed between the actual specimen and the scientific description of Philodendron hederaceum especially the purple brown blotches on the petioles and one vein. The petiole also is ribbed. I've been watching the plant for any new signs that could be tracked to a scientific source working ever since to find the correct ID. Several major differences are now apparent.
Yesterday Leland Miyano hit the jackpot. He told me Philodendron "Angra dos Reis" was simply Philodendron cordatum from Brazil. I looked up Philodendron cordatum on TROPICOS and the photos on that site are as perfect a match to my specimen as they come. A couple of Dr. Croat's field notes closed the deal since they were a description of my specimen.
I've written a page on Philodendron cordatum today but while researching that name on the internet found that many websites were claiming Philodendron cordatum is a synonym for Philodendron scandens oxypetalum. If you read the scientific description, that is not possible, especially since P. scandens oxypetalum is simply Philodendron hederaceum. Lots of things just don't match between these specimens even if you allow for variability.
Here's what I've learned so far and my sincere thanks to Leland for his help!
http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Philodendron%20cordatum%20pc.html
Steve Lucas
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