I was given a part of this plant and it seems the last 2 owners never really knew what this plant was to begin with. It started in Florida then Missouri and now here in Illinois. If someone could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. I have looked every where that I can think of.
definitely a philodendron. it looks like it's one of the types that 'runs' horizontally rather than one of the types that tends to grow upwards (and likes something to grow on to support it). blksheep, please move this thread to the Aroid section - some members only go to that one and you'll miss out on growing advice as well as an id. at the top of the thread, click on 'thread tools' and you should see an option to 'move thread'. if you don't (post count may be a factor in having the ability to move posts) then we can have one of the mods move it for you.
Re: Philodendron? Does appear to be a Philodendron species but from your photos an ID would be difficult. It obviously a vining species but to do a good ID we'd need a clean photo of the full upper side of a leaf blade, the underside of the leaf blade, closeups of the petiole which supports each leaf, and closeups of the stem at the points where the petioles join the stem. It is true Philodendron produce flowers but not in the way you think. Aroids produce an inflorescence once mature which is composed largely of a spathe and spadix. The spathe is often called a "flower" but is nothing more than a modified leaf blade. Inside the spathe you will find the spadix which is somewhat elongated. Philodendron are divided into three flower sections. The female flowers grow first and can be found inside the female floral chamber at the bottom of the spathe. They are often very difficult to see unless you cut the spathe apart. When the flowers are ready to be receptive the plant will release a light "perfume" known as a pheromone. This happens immediately after the spathe opens and the flowers are receptive for roughly 24 hours. The pheromone is actually being released by a group of sterile male flowers which can be found just above the female flowers that are frequently also hidden inside the female floral chamber. The male flowers that produce pollen are produced once female anthesis is completed. Once they release their pollen you'll see a "cotton candy" like substance along the spadix well above the female zone. However, by now it is too late to use the pollen to pollinate the female flowers at the bottom. The plant depends on a particular species of Cyclocephala beetle to bring fresh pollen from a plant at male anthesis and to enter the female floral chamber when it is receptive thus pollinating the flowers. If successful, the plant will eventually produce berries containing seeds. I'm giving you a link if you'd like to read more: http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Natural and artificial pollination in aroids.html By the way, the true flowers are almost microscopic. the spathe in the photo is not a "flower".
