Philodendron sharoniae

Thomas Croat formally described Philodendron sharoniae (2016), naming the species in honour of Sharon Davidson, a field companion who supported his collecting expeditions. The plant is native to wet forests ranging from Valle del Cauca in Colombia south to Carchi, Esmeraldas and Pichincha provinces in Ecuador. It grows as a climbing hemiepiphyte producing long strap-like leaves with transverse pleated ridges between lateral veins. It is closely related to Philodendron tenue, requiring vertical support to develop mature leaf lengths exceeding 60 cm.

Native range

Valle del Cauca, Colombia to Carchi, Esmeraldas and Pichincha provinces, Ecuador (wet tropical forest)

Classification

Genus

Philodendron

Family

Araceae

Type

Wild

Growth habit

Hemiepiphytic climber

Morphology

Leaf shape

Oblong-lanceolateLance-shaped leaves that are significantly longer than they are wide, tapering to a point at the tip. to strap-shaped with a cordateHeart-shaped foliage, featuring a rounded notch (sinus) where the leaf stem attaches. base

Leaf length

60-100 cm

Leaf width

12-18 cm

Petiole colour

Green, sub-terete, with faint longitudinal ribbing

Venation

Sunken primary veins with raised transverse secondary vein ridges

Texture

Plicate and glossy deep green

Variegation

N/A

Growth habit

ScandentClimbing or scrambling upward, typically requiring vertical support. climber attaching via adventitious nodal roots