Philodendron appendiculatum (Araceae)
Hemi-epiphytic vine. Stem: apex green becoming greenish-grey in the mature parts, internodes 3.5-8.5 cm long. Prophyll 12.5-28 x 1.5-3.5 cm, pale green to greenish yellow, triangular to narrowly triangular. LEAVES: Petiole 14-40 cm long. Leaf-blade 21.5-50 x 12-30 cm, ovate to ovate triangular, apex acute, base cordate to subsagittate to sagittate, distinctly paler on lower surface, chartaceous or rarely subcoriaceous; anterior division 15 – 40 x 12-30 cm, primary lateral veins 3-5 per side; posterior divisions 6-13 x 4-12 cm, acroscopic veins 0-3, basioscopic veins 1-2 per side; basal veins 1-4; posterior rib not naked. INFLORESCENCE: 2-3 per floral sympodium; peduncle 2.5-4.5 cm long. Spathe 9-15 cm long, ovate elliptic with strong constriction, green outside becoming white at anthesis and cream inside. Spadix 7.5-12.5 cm long; male zone 2.5-4 cm long, intermediate male sterile zone 0.6-1.2 cm long; apical male sterile zone 2-3.5 cm long; female zone 2-3 cm long. Flowers: stamens 1-2.5 x 1-2.3 mm; intermediate sterile stamens 2-2.8 x 0.8-1.8 mm; apical sterile stamens 1-1.5 x 1-1.3 mm; gynoecium 1.5-2.2 x 1.3-2 mm; ovary 5-8-locular; ovules 3-5 per locule, placentation sub-basal. Berries 3-5 x 2-3 mm, greenish becoming pale-orange; seed 1-2 mm long, fusiform. Fig. 3.
Least Concern (LC). Although much of the natural habitat of this species has been destroyed, it is a widespread species and several of its populations are located within protected areas such as the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia and Reserva Ecológica de Macaé de Cima (RJ), and Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga and Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins (SP).
Southeast and Southern Brazil, more common in Atlantic forest of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states.
Hemi-epiphytic in tropical forests, mostly in shaded areas; More common in Atlantic forest of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states.