One picture is a leaf front view, the other is the back view and the third is, what I think is going to be a new leaf, it has little 'hair' like velvet.
Sure can! This is one of the most beautiful of all Philodendron species, Philodendron verrucosum L. Mathieu ex Schott. The species is primarily from Colombia and Ecuador but is reported as far north as Costa Rica and as far south as Peru. It is reported to grow leaves as large as 90cm (3 feet), however, I've never found anyone who has actually seen a leaf that large! If you look at the petioles you'll see they look "hairy". To a botanist that is known as pubescence. The plant is a climber and needs something grab hold and climb. It frequently will become very leggy (looses the leaves) and you will likely need to prune it often and repot the pruned cuttings. I normally have to cut it back about once a year but I just take the cuttings and stick them back in soil and new plants begin relatively easily. This one can be costly. Typically a moderate size plant will sell for $40 US or higher. Here is a link to my site with a bit more information! Where have you been hiding? Haven't heard from you in a week!
No wonder you identified my Philodendron verrucosum so easy and well, I see in your site that you also own it, thank you-!! The leaves in mine are about 17cm but I only bought the plant this week I think it is young, and it was not expensive, I paid about 15 US dollars. Thanks again for identifying it.
Too bad it is not possible to send plants across the border, this nursery had at least 12 that I can choose from, now that you tell me that I got a bargain, maybe I will buy all they have, anyway I was thinking to buy at least one more.
I've seen them planted in a bed around a tree. That made for a stunning display since the underside of the leaf is reddish and the Philodendron has an extraordinary pattern. They will run across the ground but will stay relatively small until they can climb. Only then will they begin to grow larger in size. In your incredible garden a large bed of these would be fantastic. Just remember, they enjoy very bright diffused light. They can tolerate some direct sunlight but not midday sunlight. Be sure and make the soil well draining by adding lots of peat and mulch mixed into the soil. When they grow and start up the tree post a photo!
send one to me, also!! or, maybe seeds if it blooms for you! WHAT a lovely plant!!! and here i thought my p. scandens was something! this one beats it leaves down! (or up! lol) steve's site is excellent, isn't it?!
Thanks for the compliment Joclyn, but I get lots of help! A number of very knowledge people work as "free" advisers with me and make sure I keep my facts straight. Chief is Dr. Tom Croat who, when he is in the country and not out collecting specimens like this, sometimes decides to "check my facts". You'll see his quotes throughout the pages on the site since I often ask his opinion before posting the page. Better to find out I'm wrong before I post it then after he sends me an email explaining why! But there are others as well. And they don't get enough credit so let me take a minute here to thank them. First is Julius Boos who is brilliant. If Julius reads it he can remember the book and page number where he read it for ever! And does he read! Wish I had that kind of memory. Next is Leland Miyano. Leland is quite well known in Hawaii for his work with Roberto Burle Marx in Brazil as well as his garden and for the public and private gardens he designs. He also has an incredible amount of plant knowledge, especially aroids, palms and cycads. But there are others including LariAnn Garner, Ron Weeks and Dr. Eduardo Gonçalves who is Brazil's top aroid botanist. And there are others, but I'l take up an entire thread trying to thank them all. All of these people answer my questions almost weekly and pass along solid information that is botanically correct. But the one I need to praise the most is the guy who edits almost every page to check my grammar and untangle my sentence structure, Russ Hammer. If you find typos, that is likely because I changed something after Russ checked it! It is a team effort and we do it just because we love the plants and want the facts to be straight! As you likely know already, there is a ton of bad information on the internet. I've just made it my personal mission to try to get it straight! As for Philodendron verrucosum, remind me in a few months and I'll give you a cutting! I gave so many away to other collectors recently I have no more I can take, but in winter the plants grow faster and by February I should have plenty again. You'll be shocked at the beauty of this specimen once you get it in your hands! Sorry I can't make that offer to everyone. The plants just don't grow that fast!
Joclyn, I agree with you in Steve's site being excellent. He is also an excellent person and just demonstrated with his offering of "cutting" for you. It just to bad I can not offer anything since we have a border in between .
What a beautiful Philo!! I guess I've got even less of a chance of getting them sent over here in Oz! Oh well.... Ed
Ed, somehow I'd bet these are already in Oz! You'll just have to find someone who is growing one. This has been a popular one for quite a long time. But it does require some attention, otherwise it will become so "leggy" you'll want to just yank it out of the ground! But I haven't been tempted yet!
thank you, both sigtris and steve, for the offer of a cutting! i'm a little far away to meet you at the border for some passing-over-the fence, sigtris ;) so, steve, i'll take you up on it! i agree, steve IS an excellent person - and modest (he has much more knowledge than he has given himself credit for in his previous post in this thread).
Thanks again. Just remind me once the plant produces more new growth. As for the knowledge, that is exactly why I do the website. I learn from it every single day. Its cheaper than going to college! Like I said, it is a team effort and the people who feed me that knowledge are some of the best there are!