Philodendron callosum

This unique Philodendron was wild-collected by a friend who has since passed on, and so I am unable to get further information about where it was collected. I have seen similar plants in a few collections; recently Michael Pascall of Australia provided us information indicating that this plant is a particularly broad-leafed variety of Philodendron callosum.

The plant is a "creeper" in that it grows along the soil surface with relatively short internodes, in much the same way as Philodendron gloriosum does. The inflorescences have some similarity to those of other creeping Philodendrons, with the lower part of the spathe bulbous and red in color, and the upper part creamy white in color. The leaves are of heavy substance and rough texture, similar to a vining Philodendron that used to be known as the "naugahyde Philodendron" by some collectors. The bumpy texture extends to the petioles as well.

We have used this plant successfully in hybridization and have young seedlings; time will tell if we have obtained worthwhile progeny.

Above are the beautiful inflorescences on this plant. P. callosum blooms in the early Spring, at least at Aroidia Research.