Philodendron bipinnatifidum Schott ex Endl, Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Philodendron selloum, Exotic Rainforest rare tropical plants

Within our collection we have over 70 species of Philodendron. If you are seeking other photos, click this link:

Several search engines are directing you to this page if searching for information on Philodendron xanadu. Although both species are members of section Meconostigma, P. xanadu is a separate species and is no longer considered a hybrid.

Philodendron bipinnatifidum Schott ex Endl
Often Sold as "Philodendron selloum"
Common names:
All names used in Brazil: Banana-de-imbê, Banana-de-macaco, Banana-de-morcego, Banana-do-brejo
Banana-do-mato, Cipó-imbé, Imbê, Guaimbê

If you are seeking Philodendron xanadu, click here

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 common Philodendron sp. (known universally as Philodendron selloum) is used as a landscape plant through the southern half of Florida. You can often buy it at discount stores. Even though Philodendron bipinnatifidum is a native of the rain forests of Southern Brazil to Paraguay, is also a great patio plant. A rain forest inhabitant, P. bipinnatifidum won't tolerate anything more than a very short freeze, and even then the leaves will suffer. However, it can be quite variable. Your specimen may not look exactly like the specimen above.

Published to science in Meletemata Botanica 20 in 1832, Philodendron bipinnatifidum is the base species name for this Philodendron species. All other commonly used names are simply synonyms. Philodendron bipinnatifidum is found within the Genera of Araceae which includes all aroid species. All aroids are known to reproduce by the production of a spathe and spadix known as as inflorescence. Although the spathe resembles a flower, it is not. Instead it is simply a modified leaf designed to protect the spadix at its center during pollination and the production of the true flowers, both male and female, which are located at the center of the spathe and along the spadix. For additional information on how any aroid reproduces read THIS LINK.

Both the names Philodendron bipinnatifidum and Philodendron selloum were accepted scientifically until 1990 when botanist Simon Mayo of the Royal Botanic Garden Kew in England documented both "species" were actually a single species. The two had been differentiated previously since they had slightly different growth forms. Differences in growth form (leaf shape) often causes confusion, especially among non-scientists. Think of this way: there are many "growth forms" of human beings but only one species. Just because an individual has a larger body, smaller head, very thin legs, or is of a different race or skin color does not mean they are a different "species"! Some have a difficult time accepting the concept when it comes to plants. For reasons not always understood plant lovers expect any plant with a slightly different leaf shape must be a different species. Not so. Some species that have leaf variations have as many as 20 different scientific names! But all are truly the same species. Those "species" eventually become known as synonyms (same species, other name).

Regrettably, there is a great deal of non-scientific information on the internet regarding the species Philodendron bipinnatifidum . Many plant collectors simply refuse to accept current scientific names and prefer to continue to use outdated names that are no longer accurate due to the discovery the plant has long had a previously published name which supersedes the name collectors prefer. A botanist simply does not "change" a name. They follow the rules of botany and track the species back to the original published name. That is often required do the enormous variation within aroid species. If you will take the time to go back to the link above which explains natural variation, you will have a much more thorough understanding of how and why botanical names are truly determined.

One SW Texas garden site has also published some highly questionable material regarding Philodendron bipennidifium. I attempted to send them a link to a scientific site so they could learn the correct information for themselves but immediately received a response that my IP address had been blocked. It only appears they have determined they wish to receive no information from this site or this author. This quote can be found on that site, "This is one of the few philodendrons that are not climbers. Instead it grows as a woody shrub. It has huge leaves and one stem that does not branch. The branch falls over when the top gets too heavy. The species can clearly be seen climbing here: http://mgonline.com/philodendron_unknown01.jpg

Philodendron bipinnatifidum is a member of Philodendron section Meconostigma. Almost all species within that Philodendron section originate in Brazil and are members of a group known as the "tree Philodendron" species. Members of section Meconostigma are perfectly capable of supporting themselves to massive heights, sometimes 7 meters (almost 20 feet). In time, they actually produce a "tree-like" base as can be seen in my photo to the right. But they are also capable of climbing trees and often do so in the rain forest! I have personally observed countless specimens in South Florida climbing tall trees reaching heights of well over 24 meters (50 feet). Growers in the Homestead area of South Florida often have enormous specimens in their yards climbing in just such a fashion. Certainly, as any tree may eventually fall from its own weight, a Meconostigma may also fall. But more often they simply grow at an angle with their roots still keeping them firmly upright. Even the State of Florida website FLORIDATA can be found to state, "Philodendron bipinnatifidum, which begins life as vines and then transform into epiphytes". I would personally be uncomfortable calling a Meconostigma a "vine" but it certainly is capable of converting itself into a climbing species and often does as it enters a state known as morphogenesis. Again, please read the link on natural variation for a more complete explanation.

Since the species is considered a "self header" it can support itself and does not require a tree to climb for support. As a result, Philodendron bipinnatifidum is a member of Philodendron section Meconostigma. . P. bipinnatifidum can be an epiphytic form and does climb trees in the native habitat despite information posted on the internet. Epiphytic plants are simply species known to grow on other plants.

Fortunately, Philodendron bipinnatifidum (or Philodendron selloum as some must call it) requires little care except periodic removal of dead and decaying leaves. If you elect to use a group of these plants as a landscape plant plan ahead. They can get big! Really big. The P. bipinnatifidum is primarily a spreader due to the way humans have elected to grow the species. But it can reach a height of close to close to 5 meters (15 feet) with a thick trunk and an equally impressive leaf spread when grown out in the open. Keep that in mind if you plan to grow them near a sidewalk, house, or driveway. You may soon have no place to walk or park! That is also the situation in the Exotic Rainforest. I only have one plant in a corner of the building. It was a gift from a niece. But the plant puts out a large number of frilly new leaves each spring and summer requiring that I constantly remove some in order to keep the plant from overtaking the sidewalk and other plants.

Botanical texts often describe the species as a sun lover. Scientists believe the reason the species climbs in the rain forest is an attempt to get closer to the sun! I have seen and grown many plants in direct sunlight in a very healthy condition. The majority of South Florida growers grow them in sun flooded fields or landscaped yards. Admittedly, for best growth it may do better in bright filtered light but the species does not enjoy deep shade.

This species is drought resistant but does best when kept evenly moist in well drained soil. P. bipinnatifidum grows best in fertile, moist, well drained, soil, however it will grow in just about any kind of soil! The native soil around Miami is poor. It is composed largely of beach sand with very little soil thrown in. We once had over 50 of these large plants in two beds in front of our home near the ocean. They reached a height of well over 2 meters) 7 feet and were useful to totally hide our car when it was parked in the circular drive.

Please understand, within aroid species every leaf does not need to look alike. To a scientist those differences are known as natural variation. Just because the leaves in the photo above do not exactly match the photos on other websites does not mean they are not this species. If you read this link, you will have a better understanding of variation in non-technical language. Click here.

An interesting additional species of the Philodendron subgenus meconostigma is Philodendron xanadu. Many websites claim P. xanadu is a hybrid cultivar or subspecies of P. bipinnatifidum. Not so! Two of the three botanical scientists who described it to science are personal friends. And it does not grow as a native species in Australia! You can read about Philodendron xanadu here:
http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Philodendron%20xanadu%20pc.html

Specimens may be available from Natural Selections Exotics www.NSExotics.com

or
Brian's Botanicals http://www.briansbotanicals.net/

Pollinate your own Aroids!
As it occurs in nature and by any horticulturist

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