Philodendron rex, a massive new western Colombian species of subgenus Philodendron subsection Achyropodium (Schott) Engl. (Araceae).

 

Alistair Hay

 

ABSTRACT

Philodendron rex A.Hay, originating from low in the Pacific Andean foothills of Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia, is described as new, and illustrated. It is compared with and distinguished from Panamanian-typified Philodendron squamicaule Croat & Grayum sensu strictiore, the most similar species in subsect. Achyropodium (Schott) Engl. The circumscription of Philodendron squamicaule is discussed, and suggested to be narrower than it has hitherto been conceived, though its boundary remains incompletely defined. Aspects of the morphological diversity of species in subsect. Achyropodium are briefly noted, mentioning inter alia the striking similarity between the enigmatic Philodendron serpens Hook.f., ostensibly not rediscovered since its 19th Century introduction from Colombia to British cultivation (though the name since misapplied especially in horticulture, and likely also in molecular phylogenetic sampling), and Antioquian P. genevieveanum Croat.

 

KEYWORDS

Philodendreae, sect. Philodendron, Chocoan bioregion, Valle del Cauca, Achyropodium