When I first received this plant species I was told the scientific name was unknown but the seller often referred to the plant as the "Big Philo".  Fortunately, there is an aroid discussion forum on the internet known as Aroid l sponsored by the International Aroid Society.  Once I obtained a good photo of the plant I posted it on Aroid l to see if anyone recognized the species.  Someone did!  And that someone is very well known to Philodendron collectors, Dr. Eduardo Gonçalves (gon-ZAL-vas) of the Universidade Catolica de Brasilia in Brazil.  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.

Dr. Gonçalves has often been very kind to assist in the identification of unusual specimens in our collection and almost immediately sent an email to the Aroid l forum telling me the plant was P. atabapoense and was found in Brazil and Venezuela.  At this point I have been unable to learn much about the species but am attempting to locate a copy of the original botanical description of the plant.  But within hours of that email arriving I received a note via Aroid l the plant may be Philpdendron curvilobum.  That possible identification came from a knowledgeable source at the Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botanico in Rio de Janeiro.  So for awhile I was uncertain which identification was correct, but I certainly trusted the opinion of Dr. Gonçalves.  Fortunately, Dr. Gonçalves is very quick to respond.  In a second email sent only a few hours later he wrote, "IIt is P. atabapoense for sure.  Philodendron curvilobum, despite having a similar leaf shape, is not burgundy on the lower surface like P. atabapoense.  I have just checked my plants and they look exactly the same as yours."  So the identification can be made with certainty, the specimen is Philodendron atabapoense. 

Identified to science in 1975, according to the TROPICOS Google Earth mapping system, Philodendron atabapoense is found throughout Central America, Ecuador, portions of Peru, the northern portions of Brazil and the southern most portion of Venezuela.  Typically, the species is found at an elevation of approximately 100 meters (300 feet) above sea level.  Our specimen's leaves are currently 13 inches (33cm) but the adult leaf shown in the inset photo from Natural Selections shows the blade at close to 3 feet (1 meter).  A photograph of the mature Philodendron atabapoense  on TROPICOS (Missouri Botanical Garden) shows the leaves to be much wider and larger once the plant matures. 

Our specimen is a climber and is adding new leaves often.  In one year it has climbed 3 feet.  However, Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botancial Garden reports juvenile specimens of the species are often found creeping across the ground.  The underside of the blade is in fact a very pale burgundy.  The iinflorescence of the plant is solitary while the spathe is green throughout the outside with purplish-brown on the inside.  The young fruits are pale greenish-white.  Like most rain forest tropical plants we have Philodendron atabapoense planted in moderately bright light in a well draining mixture of good potting soil, peat moss, orchid potting medium and Perlite™.  Our specimen of Philodendron atabapoense came from Natural Selections Exotics in Fort Lauderdale. 

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

If you are seeking information on other rare species, click on "Species in the Collection" at the top and look for the

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