unknown aroid
submitted by Scott Bidstrup, on March 13, 2009
The plant is now potted with a maidenhair fern, and it has grown to a
height of 8 inches (20cm).
Leaves measure 5 inches (12.7cm) by 3 inches
(7.6cm). The longest leaf petioles measure 5.5 inches (14cm).
It seems
to appreciate direct sun for several hours per day, and maintenance of
the soil in a wet condition.
The soil was native weathered clay. It is
thriving as a house plant.
It was found growing on the ground in a primitive roadway at
midelevation montane secondary forest (3200ft or 1000m elevation)
on a
south-facing Pacific slope in the Cantón San Ramon, Costa Rica.
The
biotype is a transition zone between the dry forest of the Pacific
lowlands and the upper elevation cloud forests.
It was found in deep
shade near a stream crossing, but the location gets about an hour of sun
in the late afternoon.
I lived nearby for a year and often hiked close by; I have never seen
this species before or since
(though I have seen an example of a
related, but clearly different species
growing at the west end of the
Talamanca mountains, near Cartago at a higher elevation).
I collected
this plant because the road was scheduled for construction.
There are several notable characteristics of this plant that may aid in
indentification.
First, it has a bump (with corresponding concavity on
the underside)
between the petiole attachment and the upper edge of each
leaf, either juvenile or mature;
if vigorously rubbed with a paint
brush, it will exude a drop of moisture (odorless and tasteless),
suggesting that it may have a symbiotic relationship with an insect in
its native environment.
Second, all leaf petioles exhibit dark green
speckling along their length.
Third, all leaves (except the leaves of
the youngest sprout) exhibit raised venation on their upper surfaces.
Fourth, each leaf will produce several drops of moisture on its tip
during the night.
There is no detectable odor or flavor to this moisture.
ID submitted
|
| 2009-08-14 | Ch. Rogers | Monstera sp. |
