Monstera oreophila Madison

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 : 674

Monstera oreophila Madison

Material examined. Serranía de Pirre, trail ca 1 mi. SSW of Cerro Pirre summit; 07°56′N, 077°42′W; 1200 m; 15 Jul. 1977; R. L. Hartman 4679 ( MO). Ibid., E ridge, ca 1.5 mi. N of Cerro Pirre; 07°56′N, 077°42′W; 1100– 1200 m; 9 Jan. 1979; R. L. Hartman 8610 ( MO).

Identification. This species is characterized by having U-shaped petioles in cross section; ovate, lanceolateovate, oblong or oblong-elliptic blades, usually perforated with entire margins, truncate, rounded or cuneate at base, parallel secondary lateral veins, conspicuous and numerous primary lateral veins (>25 per side), and inflo- rescences with pinkish spathes. Grayum (2003) men- tioned that Monstera oreophila is the only species of the genus that presents blades with parallel secondary lateral veins and pinkish spathes. The populations of this spe- cies are found mainly in Costa Rica and western Panama (Chiriquí and Coclé Provinces). The presence of this species on Cerro Pirre can be somewhat uncertain, as a result of which its populations have not been adequately documented. The specimens examined from Cerro Pirre have been tentatively included in this species, because they share similar vegetative characteristics. However, to confirm the taxonomic identity, it is necessary to make more collections and verify the color of the spathe at anthesis.

Distribution and ecology. Costa Rica and Panama. The information provided on the labels of the specimens indicates that it ocurrs in montane cloud forests of Cerro Pirre, usually above 1100 m.