Introduction & Overview
Common and Scientific Names
- Scientific Name: Pothos degenerans S.Y.Wong, P.C.Boyce & A.Hay
- Common Name: None widely recorded
Quick Facts
- Origin: Central Borneo (Sarawak and Kalimantan)
- Features: Narrowly elliptic, coriaceous leaves with a paler midrib; spadix almost straight, purplish‑brown, with up to three sessile florets
Taxonomy & Classification
- Genus: Pothos
- Botanical Background: Described in Webbia 75: 91 (2020) by Wong, Boyce & Hay. Named for its “reduced” blooms—the smallest recorded in the genus—degenerans alludes to the minimal number of florets per spadix.
Natural Habitat & Distribution
- Geographical Range: Known from two lowland localities in central Borneo, approximately 300 km apart (Sarawak and West Kalimantan)
- Environment: Grows in wet tropical biomes on forested ridges and riverine sites up to 200 m above sea level. Prefers high humidity, well‑drained soils derived from sedimentary substrates
Morphological Characteristics
Leaves
- Stiff yet thinly coriaceous
- Blade 5–11 × 1.5–3 cm, narrowly elliptic, acute apex, subacute to obtuse base
- Abaxial surface medium brown when dried, midrib paler
Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)
-
Spathe ovate‑concave, ~4 × 4 mm, purplish brown -
Spadix stipitate (stipe ~10 × 0.9 mm), fertile portion ~10 × 1.5 mm, slender, almost straight Up to three sessile florets (~2 mm diameter) with tepals basally fused, loosely clustered; stamens six, free; pistil oblong‑cylindric
Growth Habit
- A nomadic, root‑climbing leptocaul vine with differentiated stems
- Adherent orthotropic stems, free lateral fertile stems, and short, leafless flowering shoots arising below the petiole insertion
Cultivation & Care
Light Requirements
- Bright, indirect light
- Avoid direct sun to prevent leaf scorch
Watering & Humidity
- Water when the top 2 cm of soil dries
- Maintain high humidity (60–80%)
Soil & Potting Mix
- Use a well‑draining mix (e.g., equal parts peat, perlite, and orchid bark) in a pot with drainage holes
Temperature & Fertilizer
- Ideal range 18–30 °C
- Feed monthly during active growth with a balanced, water‑soluble fertilizer at half strength
Propagation Methods
Division & Cuttings
- Root‑climbing stem cuttings with at least one node are most reliable
- Keep cuttings warm and humid until rooted
Seeds
- Unknown—fruiting has not been observed in cultivated or wild specimens
Common Pests & Diseases
Typical Issues
- Spider mites and mealybugs
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Treatment Recommendations
- Neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays
- Systemic insecticides for severe infestations; use according to label instructions
Notable Traits & Uses
- Has the smallest inflorescences recorded in Pothos
- Each spadix bearing no more than three florets
Conservation & Availability
Wild Population Status
- Known from very few collections
- Not yet assessed by the IUCN but potentially vulnerable due to limited range
Market Availability
- Rare in cultivation
- Rarely offered by nurseries
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