Philodendron rayanum Croat & Grayum

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

Philodendron rayanum Croat & Grayum

Material examined. Vicinity Cerro Pirre, 17 km N of El Real, along trail from base camp, along Río Perisenico; 08°01′N, 077°44′W; 100 m; 28 Jul. 1994; T. B. Croat 77175 A ( MO). Parque Nacional Darién, Serranía de Pirre, Rancho Plástico; 07°59′13″N, 077°42′28″W; 1127 m; 30 Jul. 2016; O. O. Ortiz 2650 ( PMA). Ibid.; 07°58′54″N, 077°42′30″W; 1128 m; 31 Jul. 2016; O. O. Ortiz 2659 ( PMA).

Identification. This species is characterized by its nomadic vine life form (rigidly-scandent habit), petioles almost completely sheathed, non-cordate narrow blades with numerous primary lateral veins (nine to 16 per side). In the study area, this species is very similar to P. inaequilaterum Liebm. due to the blade shape (see distinctive aspects in the notes for the latter species).

Distribution and ecology. Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama. On Cerro Pirre, this species has been reported in semideciduous lowland and montane cloud forests.