Philodendron sulcatum K. Krause

Ortiz, Orlando Oriel, de Stapf, María Sánchez, Baldini, Riccardo Maria & Croat, Thomas Bernard, 2019, Synopsis of aroids (Alismatales, Araceae) from Cerro Pirre (Darién Province, Panama), Check List 15 (4), pp. 651-689 : 682-683

Philodendron sulcatum K. Krause

Material examined. Parque Nacional Darién, vicinity of Cerro Pirre base camp, along trail near E side of Río Paracida; 08°00′N, 077°48′W; 0–80 m; 1 Jul. 1988; T. B. Croat 68990 ( MO).

Identification. Philodendron sulcatum is distinguished by having yellowish and markedly sulcate stems (when

dry), horizontally splayed petiole sheaths, small blades, and alveolate or subalveolate upper leaf epidermis. On Cerro Pirre, P. sulcatum could be confused with P. opacum Croat & Grayum , but the latter differs in having erect petiole sheaths and longer unsheathed portion of petioles (> 1 cm long) (see couplet 78 of the key).

Distribution and ecology. Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Panama. In the study area, this species has only been recorded in the semideciduous lowland forest. According to Grayum (2003), individuals of this species are frequently found in slightly disturbed sites such as abandoned plantations, secondary forests, or along forest trails.