A member of Philodendron subgenus Pteromischaum, Philodendron camposportoanum was oiginally published in Archivos do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro in 1956.  With a slight velvet appearance to the leaves, Philodendron camposportoanum is primarily found in western Brazil.  The unusual tri-lobed Philodendron species has also been observed by botanists and collectors in Bolivia, Colombia and in the southern portion of Venezuela as well as the extreme south of Guiana bordering the country of Brazil.  Little published data is available on the species, however in Bolivia collections were made at elevations as low as 150 to 190 meters above sea level (490 to 625 feet).  Aroid botanist Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis who provided the scientific information used to write this page indicated P. camposportoanum (KAHM-pos-por-toe-AH-num) is one of the smaller species in the genus.  Dr. Croat explained, "basically the leaves never get very large, perhaps 20 cm long and equally wide since they are deeply 3-lobed."   A 20cm leaf would be approximately 7.85 inches in length.  One note on the New York Botanical Garden website indicates the specimen can attain leaves approaching 30cm (1 foot).  The leaves of the specimen shown in our photo are still juvenile and have not fully developed the wide upper lobes (see photo, below).

Considered primarily a terrestrial vine that runs across the ground, Philodendron camposportoanum is also capable of climbing.  The vine's internodes measure 4 to 6mm in diameter while the leaves are often a dark green and may be bicolorous mixed with a reddish brown.  The leaf blades of Philodendron camposportoanum are considered to be subcoriaceous which indicates they are quite thin to the touch.  Botanically the leaves are weakly glossy and the primary lateral veins are only slightly sunken.  The petioles which support the leaves are terete (cylindrical) in shape. 

Published information on the species is quite sparse, however aroid, palm and cycad expert Leland Miyano from Hawaii responded to my request by saying, "I did find out that it is from Acre, Brazil and Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I saw some photos of it and it is in the subgenus Pteromischum.  I am familiar with the work of the author, Barroso...but many of the publications are from Brazil and very difficult to get copies...or are expensive." 

Philodendron species, and especially hybrid forms, are known to be highly variable and not every leaf of every specimen will always appear the same.  This link explains in greater detail the scientific principals of natural variation and morphogenesis.  Click here.

Of note, Philodendron camposportoanum was described by noted female botanist Graziela Maciel Barroso.  Barroso worked primarily on species of Araceae found in Brazil and her scientific description of this species was done as her first publication.  According to information published on the International Aroid Society website, her first published species "was followed by a series of papers describing other new species (Barroso, 1957, 1959, 1965, 1970). All but one, Anthurium wendlingeri G.M. Barroso from Costa Rica, represented Brazilian species. Barroso published 15 species in all"
The leaves of our specimen (shown at the top and top right are still immature and the largest presently measures 14cm (5.5 inches).  Third photo to the right shows the size and shape of an adult specimen commonly seen in nature.  The photo by Russ Hammer shows the range of shapes the blade acquires as it grows and the final two specimens by Brian Williams of Brian's Botanicals in Kentucky  www.BriansBotanicals.net and by Enid Offolter of Natural Selections Exotics (www.NSExotics.com) in Fort Lauderdale, FL illustrate specimens that are fully mature as well as have been trained to climb.  As can be seen, the upper lobes on the adult specimens are substantially larger and better developed. 

We have the plant in very loose soil which is kept evenly moist.  The specimen is grown in filtered light and allowed to trail across the ground. 

Looking for a specimen?  Contact Natural Selections Exotics at www.NSExotics.com