Philodendron pedatum (Hook.) Kunth
Synonyms:  Philodendron quericifolium, Philodendron laciniatum, Philodendron amazonicum
Philodendron laciniosum,  Philodendron polypodioides, Caladium pedatum, Dracontium laciniatum  

Described in 1841, as an adult Philodendron pedatum is an unusual multi-lobed Philodendron that has received many scientific names due to the myriad of leaf shapes the species naturally produces.  Botanists have mistaken Philodendron pedatum for a plant that is yet to be named as a result of its extremely variable growth forms.  At one time botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker thought Philodendron pedatum was a Caladium and many data bases still list the specie's basionym (true scientific name) as Caladium pedatum.  Despite all the names collectors bestow on the species, the accepted scientific name is, according to the International Plant Names Index and TROPICOS,  Philodendron pedatum.  Still, many collectors insist on having it tagged as Philodendron quericifolium, Philodendron laciniatum or just as frequently some "unknown" species. 

 

Philodendron species, and especially hybrid forms, are known to be highly variable and not every leaf of every specimen will always appear the same.  Just look at Joep Moonen's (yupe or jupe) photographs on this page!  The photo at the top is the juvenile form that soon begins to morph into one of countless other leaf shapes.  Not every leaf has to be the same or even similar to be the sams species!  It is simply known as natural variation and this link explains it in greater detail the scientific principals of natural variation and morphogenesis.  Click here.

 

In the summer of 2008 a collector looking for a name for his Philodendron posted a leaf blade photo and a vine photo on one of the garden websites.  People guessed Florida Beauty, Philodendron elegans and other possible names.  But the last time someone sent the link, no one had ventured the correct scientific name.  Variation is the cause! 

 

Few study natural variation as it is well understood in botany and even fewer grasp the concept.  So I  decided to do an experiment and verify my own speculation.  I asked some of the world's best aroid experts and the top aroid botanist in the world, Dr. Tom Croat by sending them the same link I had received.   Just as I had suspected, the plant was  Philodendron pedatum.  These are their responses:  Dr. Tom Croat: Philodendron pedatum, aroid expert Leland Miyano: Philodendron pedatum, and Dutch naturalist Joep Moonen: Philodendron pedatum.  Until collectors begin to understand and accept the science of natural variation such a discussion will likely go on without end and collectors just won't learn the names of the species they have in their collection.  If you haven't already, Look at the photos just on this page and take the time to read our link discussion natural variation within species.  Click here.

 

An epiphytic vine, Philodendron pedatum will show its natural beauty best if allowed to climb something tall.  But in cultivation the leaves are unlikely to ever reach their fully mature state.  Like many Philodendron species, the blade shape collectors are accustomed to seeing appears nothing like the fully adult form.  The leaves of our specimen of Philodendron pedatum, which came from Windy Aubrey in Hawaii, are still  juvenile but the lobes will eventually become much narrower as the blades mature.  In May, 2007 the blades measured approximately 18cm (7 inches).  Even in our "rain forest" it is unlikely the specimen will ever reach the fully mature state as can be seen in Joep's (pronounced yupe or jupe)   photographs. 

 

The inset photos, provided by Dutch naturalist Joep Moonen (pronounced yupe or jupe), show a fully mature specimen in the jungles of French Guiana.  Joep believes this species was one of the parents of the very odd Philodendron he discovered in the jungles of the Guiana Shield currently known as Philodendron 'joepii' (see that plant on this website).  All you need do is look closely at the adult form of P. pedatum as compared to P. 'joepii' to see the resemblance.

 

With internodes 8 to 15cm long (3.25 to 6 inches) apart, the leaf blades of P. pedatum are a medium to dark green tinged with a slight maroon or brown.  Philodendron pedatum has an extremely wide distribution and can be found in rain forest regions from the extreme southern portions of Central America throughout Colombia, Venezuela, the entire Guiana Shield and deep into Brazil.  In the western portion of South America the species can be seen through Ecuador into portions of Peru and Bolivia.

If you actually wish to see this species, and many more, in the jungles of French Guiana, our friend Joep Moonen (pronounced yupe or jupe) introduces people to those exotic rain forests almost daily.  For an Emerald Jungle Village eco-tour brochure contact Joep at EmeraldJungleVillage@wanadoo.fr

 

 

 

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

 

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