Philodendron subhastatum

Philodendron subhastatum is a climbing hemiepiphyte from the cloud forests of Ecuador and Peru, identified by the contrast between its two leaf faces. The elongated, arrow-shaped leaves have a glossy, semi-glossy deep-green upper surface, while the underside carries a burgundy-purple wash that shows through at the margins and whenever a leaf twists toward the light. New growth flushes a coppery bronze-red before settling into mature green as it hardens off. Like most climbing Philodendron species, it needs a moss pole or similar support to climb, producing visible aerial roots along a steadily lengthening stem as it matures.

Native range

Cloud forests of Ecuador and Peru

Classification

Genus

Philodendron

Family

Araceae

Type

Wild

Growth habit

Climbing hemiepiphyte

Morphology

Leaf shape

Elongated ovateEgg-shaped leaves, with the wider end near the base.-lanceolateLance-shaped leaves that are significantly longer than they are wide, tapering to a point at the tip., arrow-shaped

Leaf length

20-25 cm

Leaf width

10-15 cm

Petiole colour

Green, reddish toward the base

Venation

PinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein., subtle on the upper surface

Texture

Glossy, semi-leathery

Variegation

N/A

Growth habit

Climbing