Philodendron 'Splendid'

Philodendron 'Splendid' is a climbing hybrid believed to cross Philodendron verrucosum and Philodendron melanochrysum, two widely grown velvety climbing Philodendrons. The verrucosum parent contributes its velvety leaf texture and crisp, pale primary venation; the melanochrysum parent lends the elongated, tapering cordate form with a pronounced acuminate apex and deep, rich leaf colour. The result is a climbing hemiepiphyte with elongated, velvety, cordate leaves on robust internodes bearing cataphyll remnants and aerial roots for climbing and anchorage. The deep green blades show pale primary venation and an elongated tapering tip, the leaf shape referenced by the cultivar name. Among Philodendron hybrids, 'Splendid' combines traits of both parents in a single, vigorous cultivar.

Native range

Horticultural cultivar; derived from tropical American Philodendron parentage (P. verrucosum × P. melanochrysum)

Classification

Genus

Philodendron

Family

Araceae

Type

Cultivar

Growth habit

Climbing hemiepiphyte

Morphology

Leaf shape

Elongated cordateHeart-shaped foliage, featuring a rounded notch (sinus) where the leaf stem attaches. with pronounced sinus and tapering acuminateFoliage tapering gradually to a long, sharp point at the leaf tip. apex

Leaf length

40-80 cm

Leaf width

25-50 cm

Petiole colour

Green, robust, slightly hairy on petiole

Venation

Pale primary venation on deep velvety green blade

Texture

Velvety

Variegation

None

Growth habit

Climbing with aerial roots, robust internodes with cataphyll remnants